Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Thursday June 30, 2011

Have you ever wished that you had been courageous in life each time the opportunity to be courageous presented itself? This would include the times when for whatever reason you did not do the courageous act the situation demanded.

If you ever decide that, "From now on I am going to be courageous" understand there are a number of sides to the concept of courage.

Back in the day when our national freedom was wrested away from the guns of the British, a man one day did the most cowardly act in the annals of the revolution. General Benedict Arnold sold out the Continental Army to the British. To this hour his very name ranks with Judas Iscariot as far as we can see and feel the purple mountain majesty.

Yet, land anywhere in the British Empire and Benedict Arnold is hailed as a hero.

The point being that even in the area of courage, you can't please everyone.

What to do?

Decide that whomsoever does not matter in the equation of courage, right is the only deciding factor, and right certainly means pleasing the Lord Christ.

Sometimes it is a demonstration of raw courage to stand and speak you piece, in spite of the hissing of the crowd. Sir Winston Churchill commented on this and the other side of the coin of courage:

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."

On a few occasions I have found that having the courage to listen to an enraged person actually defused a situation that would have called for courage and some sort of violence. "Why are you so enraged" brought out answers that made the rage understandable and intelligent solutions were worked out.

Opportunities to demonstrate courage come dressed in many and varied garments and we need wisdom from God to know just how to respond to each instance with the right kind of courage. Often it takes courage to simply walk away from a fool thus risking being called a coward. Other occasions will call for walking tall and trusting events and time to demonstrate that you were in fact courageous.

I don't how you may need courage today, but I do know that Christ will give you the kind you need if you will but trust him instead of leaning on your own big fist or mouth.

Concerning courage in tough times David wrote in Psalms 31:24:

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2011 Use with credit

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