Courage

Courage, confidence, constancy, bravery are all features of human life that we admire and want to possess in adequate dimension.  The practice of them helps us to overcome fear, threat, misfortunes, tragedy, and ultimately death.  To take heart and face life with a sense of impending transition to something better than presently pertains is a spiritual matter in that it is not measureable, cannot be seen but is real to experience, and is engaged in an implication that there is something more available in life if one can find it.  This is sometimes expressed in Scripture as taking heart.  Even if the factor is applied as a part of the maturing life of the Christian, it is also important to the humanist who is aware of, and trying to cope with, the dangers attending life on earth and in society.  Courage in the face of death, for those who love life, is presumed to be the highest application of courage.  Courage, whether in secular or spiritual interpretations, is perceived as a friend and able to draw the best from us in our attitudes and decision making.  It is seen as a virtue even in stunts like walking a high wire between two skyscrapers, or flying solo for the first time over the Atlantic, or even in seeking some personal satisfaction like flying to the moon or facing down a robber.  These persons have within them that marvelous factor that shows in conduct that no matter what anyone else may do, this is what I am going to be, so to guide me in what I do. There is an element of the heroic in it.  I hold my own authority, so accept whatever outcome to arrive.  I am free, so can take on danger, threat and even death.  Without courage, we would never have had the ministry of the Apostles – note especially the experiences of the Apostle Paul.  (Follow his experience in the storm at sea in Acts 27: I exhort you to be of good cheer.) Without courage we would not have had Jesus going to the Cross.  Christ does not promise his children easy life, quite the opposite for some, but he can provide courage as it is experienced.

An article appeared in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune by Bill Ward, reporter, entitled Talking to Death.  He followed a spreading interest across the globe, originating in Switzerland, in what are called Death Cafes. There are, at Ward’s writing, forty established in the United States.  He included not only the information on how the Cafes are moderated and discussion proceeds, but with information from academia about the process, and the matter of facing death for the individual.  The sponsors want to provide some courage to those who participate to face death, regarded as a most certain thing (with taxes) in human life.  The effort is basically humanistic, with quotes from poets and writers of the past.  The quotes in the article did not include any from Scripture.  There was gallows humor, artful mausoleums, and the contrast of catacomb and Christian circumstances were unfavorably noted to a recent American Indian Funeral.   The recurring themes, the writer found, were fear of dying and our society’s trepidation about tackling the topic.  The article proceeds without anything on the Christian position, of 2000 years, that addresses both the fear and the concern about the theme.  Rising interest credits more to offshoots of Buddhism or group meditation than to God.  We may understand the implications of the article, factual in its presentation, and detect that it does not really address interests of promises.  Christians face life with courage borne of God’s Word.

A favorite phrase in the Old Testament is: Be strong and of a good courage. Deuteronomy 31:6-7,23; Joshua 1:6, 9, 18; 10:25; 1 Chronicles 23:13; Psalm 32:24.  There is in the word a meaning of alertness, knowing the facts, but interpreting them firmly for the good, a sense of being graciously obstinate for the right thing so to face bravely whatever one must encounter for honor of self and God.  The very spirit of courage causes acts of courage that may turn disaster into victory.  That context does not mean arrogance, or presumption, or mysterious accompaniments but the person has been gripped with a belief that there is a divine meaning that can provide resoluteness even in death’s context.  It is important to remember that courage serves well even when all seems well.  It is not in threatening circumstances only that courage is needed.  Courage is needed for life so as to complete conduct for righteousness.  Even the courageous may have to back down in work, purpose, effort and loss, but the belief in the will of God that does not change even in retreat, serves mankind’s purpose and meaning – God’s as well.  Seek courage, a Christian virtue.  My wife knew she was going to die seven weeks before she did, but was totally victorious in her Christ-given courage.

A favorite phrase in the Old Testament is: Be strong and of a good courage. Deuteronomy 31:6-7,23; Joshua 1:6, 9, 18; 10:25; 1 Chronicles 23:13; Psalm 32:24.  There is in the word a meaning of alertness, knowing the facts, but interpreting them firmly for the good, a sense of being graciously obstinate for the right thing so to face bravely whatever one must encounter for honor of self and God.  The very spirit of courage causes acts of courage that may turn disaster into victory.  That context does not mean arrogance, or presumption, or mysterious accompaniments but the person has been gripped with a belief that there is a divine meaning that can provide resoluteness even in death’s context.  It is important to remember that courage serves well even when all seems well.  It is not in threatening circumstances only that courage is needed.  Courage is needed for life so as to complete conduct for righteousness.  Even the courageous may have to back down in work, purpose, effort and loss, but the belief in the will of God that does not change even in retreat, serves mankind’s purpose and meaning – God’s as well.  Seek courage, a Christian virtue.  My wife knew she was going to die seven weeks before she did, but was totally victorious in her Christ-given courage.