COURAGE

The dictionary defines it as:

The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery.

Ambrose Redmoon once said:

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.”

We see movie after movie, situation after situation, of people calling up something from within that overcomes all things to do the seemingly impossible. Have you ever found yourself standing at some point trying to summon up some courage to do something you are totally and positively fearful of doing [who hasn't]. The question truly becomes not have we found ourselves standing in those situations but did we move in those situations and in which direction.

I imagine a scene where there are a few warriors staring down a massive attacking enemy, the numbers are too great, the odds insurmountable, what do we do. To do nothing is unthinkable but to do something is insane. When a voice comes from no where summoning up the courage, telling you all is well, you are not alone. Your eyes flash wide and you move.... The enemy thinks you foolish and almost mocks your attack... but what he does not see is the undefeatable foe within, that thing which death does not defeat.
Courage is doing what most would consider foolish but faith would call wise..

Acts 6:8-7:60 Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God." So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They produced false witnesses, who testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us." All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. Then the high priest asked him, "Are these charges true?" To this he replied: "Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran. "Leave your country and your people,' God said, 'and go to the land I will show you.'……………………………..Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it." When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Courage, also known as bravery and fortitude, is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty or intimidation. It can be divided into "physical courage" — in the face of physical pain, hardship, and threat of death; and "moral courage" — in the face of shame, scandal, and discouragement.

I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move.
Matthew 17:20

My brothers, I know your fear and feel it myself for in my heart is a fear that would swallow my day. But it is not our fear. Ours is a courage that knows not this world. A timeless enduring that sees no bounds, no edge. A focus on the almighty that takes us from this place and places fire within our hearts. Our enemy only knows fear for his time has come to an end.

When you feel your courage failing and fear standing beside you, look to the one who purchased you from this day, from death. For in Christ Jesus is a courage that shoots across the sky like a flash of light, spreading from the east to the west.

An hour comes when wolves will stand round about you, but one is here who delivers you, and sets you at a table before your enemies. No matter the day, no matter the night, an eternity is pressed across our skies. A place has been set for us, a feast. And his glory will you see, his presence is with you. And your enemy will flea and release those imprisoned. For the Glory of God Will you stand, will you speak, will you go!