courage – Household Words:

FAITH CAN BE SCARY. Judges 4:22.

This coffee cup showing Jael slaying Sisera is one of over 90 portrayals of Judges 4 available from fineartamerica.com. Apparently, Jael has quietly become a hero to many. Deborah told Barak God’s message: “Attack Sisera and I will hand him over to you” Judges 4:7. But Barak was scared and said, “If you will goContinue reading “FAITH CAN BE SCARY. Judges 4:22.”

ONE SCARY BIBLE STORY. 2 Kings 18:19-35; 2 Kings 19:35-36.

When Sennacherib, King of Assyria, began conquering the world, he sent men to convince King Hezekiah to surrender. But rather than go to the palace, they went to the City Gate and shouted to the crowds—in Hebrew—knowing that before Hezekiah could offer a rebuttal, the seeds of fear and doubt would grow into full terror. Continue reading “ONE SCARY BIBLE STORY. 2 Kings 18:19-35; 2 Kings 19:35-36.”

When You Need Courage.

Have you ever been afraid? Fear is a difficult emotion. Sometimes fear is vague, dull, and unfocused: you feel anxious, but you’re not sure why. Other times it is acute: you know EXACTLY what you’re afraid of! Fear, whether in the form of fright, worry, anxiety, terror, or dread, affects everyone. What is the answer?Continue reading “When You Need Courage.”

Choose Courage. Psalm 91.

This week (March 12, 2020) has been unprecedented. We have previously lived through hurricanes and floods and the associated hysteria. But I cannot recall anything to match the worldwide fear created by the Coronavirus pandemic. Just a few minutes of television, radio, or internet, and you’re convinced we are all going to die—and that thoseContinue reading “Choose Courage. Psalm 91.”

Do You Need Courage? Part Two.

Remember where courage comes from? Integrity. If you obey God, you will have courage. If you disobey, you will be afraid. After Israel defeated Jericho, the men marched against the kingdom of Ai. But the men of Ai overpowered them, killed 36 of them and chased them away. “As a result, the people’s hearts meltedContinue reading “Do You Need Courage? Part Two.”

Do You Need Courage?

Courage does not mean having no fear. Courage is moving forward in spite of fear. When times are tough and the future is in doubt, we need courage. How do you get courage? Obedience. Integrity means “wholeness.” In math, an “integer” is a whole number, right? If you have integrity, you are a whole person.Continue reading “Do You Need Courage?”

Is Fear a Factor?

Do you struggle with fear? What about fear’s minions: WORRY, ANXIETY, DREAD, PHOBIAS, and certain kinds of STRESS? Familiar with those? What can be done about fear? Is fear up to you, or do you have no choice in the matter? Moses commanded the people: “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or terrified”Continue reading “Is Fear a Factor?”

Integrity Builds Courage & Wisdom.

Nothing builds COURAGE and WISDOM faster than integrity. Integrity builds courage because it requires people to do things they find frightening. Integrity builds wisdom because the good decisions it requires draw a person out of darkness and into the light. Both Job and his friends are men of integrity. (But only Job is a manContinue reading “Integrity Builds Courage & Wisdom.”