Courage In The Middle

By Chad McComas

Courage is standing strong when fear and doubt suggest otherwise. Courage doesn’t give up. Courage trusts when there doesn’t seem to be anything or anyone to trust in. Courage believes in truth, not the “truth” of the circumstance, but “TRUTH” in the person of Jesus Christ.

Remember the disciples in the boat when the storm came? As seasoned fishermen they understood “truth.” They knew about storms. From all outward signs, from the circumstance they found themselves in they were going to die! There was no way out. They cried out to Jesus, the “TRUTH” and discovered that He had a way out when there was no way. What was the truth in their circumstance? Jesus. He was with them and had power over the storm!

The widow at Nain was in the middle of her circumstances. Her husband was gone and now her only son was dead. What did she see as “truth?” She was in deep trouble. There was no one to take care of her. There was no where to turn. Life was over for her. But, then “TRUTH” stepped in. Jesus raised her son back to life. What was the truth in her circumstances? Jesus. He had power over death!

Moses experienced the burning bush. God had spoken to him. He was sending him back to Egypt to rescue His people. God had allowed Moses to do some miraculous things with his staff. He was ready, but things didn’t go as he expected. Pharoah refused to let the people go and now he was making it harder on them. They were crushed and cried out to Moses in anger. Moses was facing death at the hands of an angry mob. What happened? Didn’t God send him? What did Moses see as “truth?” He was in deep trouble and God had deserted him. But then “TRUTH” stepped in. Jesus (the I AM) revealed to Moses that He had hardened Pharoah’s heart in order to show miraculous signs to all the Egyptian people and to the Israelite people that He was God and He had to power to overthrow the mightiest nation on earth!

For us…courage is to believe in “TRUTH” when the “truths” of our circumstances suggest that things are out of control. Courage uses faith to stay the course when we can’t see the way. Courage is believing what God says, not what is happening around us right now. Courage says I trust God…not myself…not what society tells me to do…not what “reason” and “common sense” tell me to do. Courage is to step out and do what God’s Holy Spirit tells me what to do in spite of my circumstances. Courage is to have the 5,000 sit down ready to eat when there is no food and no money to buy food. But JESUS tells us to do it, so courage does it. Oh God, give us all courage as the world changes around us!

Chad McComas writes from Medford, Oregon. info@thechristianjournal.org