The Golden Nugget: “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” —Ambrose Redmoon
Daily Verse: “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear.” —Psalm 112:7–8
Daily Message:
You are a person of courage. You show it all the time, even though you may not realize it. You exhibit courage every time you encounter commonplace temptations and choose not to fall prey to them. Recall the last time you were tempted to better yourself by placing another at a disadvantage but instead chose a better way. The world of competition and Darwinian thought holds that the fittest should win. That thinking makes everyone else a threat. It is so much easier to go for the win than to put up with all the judgment that comes with doing something different.
We worry: What will people think? Will I be taken advantage of? How can I be certain of the outcome if I do this differently? Will my friends stay my friends? Will my life change more than I’m ready for? These thoughts are like petri dishes for fear.
When you know the right thing to do, when the better way is obvious, even if unpopular or unusual, it takes courage to do it. God gives you the courage to do the right things. Fear not, for he is with you always.
Consider This:
- What is a situation that would cause your friends to question you if you did what you knew was the right thing to do?
- When does God ask us to do something that might be considered weird by others?
Take Action:
On a piece of paper, list things in your life that might need to change if you are interested in growing in faith. Identify the fears holding you back from making those changes. Then ask God for the courage to choose the better way.