I had a great two-part conversation with Dennis Rainey for his podcast “Inspiring Courageous Faith.” If you haven’t watched part one, you can do so here. We talked about Nanci’s cancer battle, and trusting Jesus when life is hard.
In part two, we talked about faith, Heaven, and the realities that shape courageous living:
Dennis likes to ask his guests, “What’s the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?”
I think many of us struggle at times to be courageous and boldly follow Jesus—I know I do. But in my experience, when I have walked with the Lord step by step, He provides the strength and help I need, just when I need it.
For example, in the area of giving, it started with following Christ by giving a certain amount, and then giving more, and now giving even more. With advocating for unborn children, as I shared in the video, it started with Nanci and me opening our home to a pregnant young woman and helping place her child up for adoption. I served on the board of a crisis pregnancy center, and we gave substantially more of our income to support prolife work. We also participated in Life Chain (holding up signs that read “Abortion Kills Children”), went to abortion clinics, and did sidewalk counseling (at first not disobeying the law, then standing in front where we could be arrested). All of that was gradual.
So I would encourage anyone wanting to develop courage to follow the Lord wherever He is leading you, then depend upon Him to give you more courage to take the next step. Our lives are supposed to be what Eugene Peterson calls “a long obedience in the same direction.” God calls us to “stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13, NIV).
Following Christ requires taking up our cross daily, which means little sacrifices made repeatedly again and again and again. It means living in light of eternal realities. And one day you will wake up and realize (or if you are humble you may not realize) you have become a bolder, more courageous, and more heavenly-minded person. That should not be the exception, but the norm for the Christian life. And it’s all by His gracious empowerment!
For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (2 Corinthians 4-10, emphasis added).
Some further thoughts on courage:
“I would go to the deeps a hundred times to cheer a downcast spirit. It is good for me to have been afflicted, that I might know how to speak a word in season to one that is weary.” —Charles Spurgeon
“He that will not sail till all dangers are over must never put to sea.” —Thomas Fuller
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”—Joshua 1:9
