\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As our nation and world seem to be racing out of control, it takes courage to even get out of bed every morning.\u00a0 We all have our own challenges and trials to face \u00a0each day.\u00a0 We each have family issues or financial situations to deal with.\u00a0\u00a0Our economy is ever changeing and the political scene is questionable.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I can’t make it without the hope and strength that only Jesus can give.\u00a0 I have many wonderful friends, people I can call day or night.\u00a0 They offer prayer, comfort, and encouragement.\u00a0 I have a great husband and three grown children who also lift me up when I am down.\u00a0 But Jesus is the best!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Psalm 31:24 says, “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all your hope is in the Lord.”<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the ability to face your fears and conquer them.\u00a0 It takes courage to walk through life and maintain a good attitude because everyone else is grumbling and speaking doom and gloom.\u00a0 It takes courage to hold our heads up in the midst of trouble and criticism; to not let our situations overwhelm us.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When a young soldier finds himself face to face with the enemy, his heart may be full of fear, but he is trained to stand firm and take action.\u00a0 He carries out his duties and obeys his commanding officer.\u00a0 That is courage!<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When our dreams are shattered or a loved one is taken from us; when we lose our job and the bills pile up around us; when our home is repossessed and our families torn apart, we all need courage.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When Joshua was preparing for the conquest of Canaan, the Lord spoke to him in Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commaned thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with you whithersoever thou goest.”\u00a0 That’s a promise we can all hang on to.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Courage is a gift of God.\u00a0 It enables us to move through difficult seasons of our lives with some degree of peace and sanity.\u00a0 If we keep our eyes on Jesus, He will not fail us.\u00a0 We need not fear what tomorrow may bring, for Jesus is already there preparing the way for us.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As our nation and world seem to be racing out of control, it takes courage to even get out of bed every morning.\u00a0 We all have our own challenges and trials to face \u00a0each day.\u00a0 We each have family issues or financial situations to deal with.\u00a0\u00a0Our economy is ever changeing and the political scene…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":420,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[17,19,20],"class_list":["post-112","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-encouragement","tag-courage","tag-faith","tag-strength"],"yoast_head":"\n