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The Beginning of Courage

                When I was younger, life just seemed to roll along.  Lately, though, it seems that every week brings another situation that I do not want to face. 
                What do you do when you find yourself in troubling circumstances?  Where do you find the courage to not only keep going, but to do so with strength and hope? 
                In Acts 3, Peter and John are arrested for preaching about Jesus and for healing people.  After being imprisoned overnight, threatened and commanded to stop teaching, they are released.  When the church hears what has happened, they pray a prayer that not only helps them, but instructs us on how to deal with any problem that comes our way.
                They begin by remembering who is in charge and that nothing is out of control.  “Sovereign Lord, you made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them” (Acts 4:24).  They go on to note that everything that has ever happened, including what was happening to them now, was because of God’s power and his will (verses 25-28).   They do not start with their problems, but rather with a reminder of God’s position and power.    
                Then they say, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness” (verse 29).  What?  If that is me, I am praying for peace, God’s vengeance, or for a change of circumstances.  Instead, they pray for boldness and the courage to face the situation that they are in.
                Now, here is the key: In order to pray the second part (make us bold), we must understand and believe the first part (that God is in control).   
   David understood that as he went out to face Goliath.   Moses knew it as he stood in Pharaoh’s court.  Over and over, God’s people have faced their trials with courage because they knew they were not alone.
I do not know what challenges you are up against today, but I do know this; you are in God’s hands.  He has not abandoned you or forsaken you (See Luke 12:1-32).  God’s strength can carry you through.
Jesus’ most frequently given command was, “Do not be afraid!”  I believe he said this for one reason:  He knew his father!
Courage does not start within us.  It starts with the one who is looking after us.

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