Courage

By Donna Wittlif

"For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline" (II Timothy 1:7).
    Rosa Parks said, "I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear." Rosa Parks was not rich, did not hold a doctorate degree, and was not famous when she made up her mind to stay seated in that bus. But she knew what was right, and was willing to act on what was right.
    One might say that the opposite of courage is a spirit of fearfulness. It is a disgrace to modern Christians, especially those in the United States where we have little persecution, that we let our little fears hold us back from telling others about God and Christ. What do we fear? Ridicule? Humiliation? Being called a "religious fanatic"?
    "You have not resisted unto blood, striving against sin," the author of Hebrews reminds us (12:4). No, we are not like the six newly baptized Christians who died in a public park in Pakistan last March 27. They were targeted because they believed in Christ and had gathered to celebrate Easter with other believers. American Christians have opportunities to show and tell their faith to others every day, but we are often afraid.
    "Be strong and of good courage," God told the Israelites over and over as they went to fight their battles. The Lord was their leader, and He fought for them and conquered their enemies. All they had to do was put their faith and trust in God and obey Him, and He discomfited the foreign armies that threatened them.
    The same God, our Heavenly Father, has promised to be with us always. Can we not have the same faith as the Israelites did as they watched God smite their enemies? Our Father will do the same for us as we go forth to tell His story.

- Donna Richmond Wittlif, the founder and first editor of BulletinGold, lives in Denver, CO. Donna is also a writer of fiction. Her novels, World Eternal: Promises and World Eternal: Proselytes, and World Eternal: Perils are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other book outlets. For more information visit her website. http://www.donnarwittlif.com/