"Haven't I commanded you: be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Book of Joshua, ch. 1, v. 9*)
What is characteristic of courage besides overcoming a certain fear or insecurity? It involves a strong motivation that is illogical to our inherent mechanism for self-preservation. It operates based on fear – of heights, insects, the dark, public speaking, trying new things, inability to cope, rejection. These fears, unpleasant as they may be and as compulsive as they can become, are actually natural and embedded in humans for a purpose. The idea is for fear to act as a "red light," triggering every time we are about to undertake something with negative consequences for our spirit, soul, or body. What is the problem with fear then? Why does the Bible record so many times "Do not fear!" when fear acts as a warning signal?
Courage is unidirectional, fear is not
We cannot say that being brave always means being reckless or acting illogically. Sometimes courage can be calling someone with whom you are not on good terms. The commonality in all instances of courage is that we are always moving in one direction – against fear. That is, courage inherently brings discomfort, sometimes even losses. We know many heroic stories taught in school since childhood – Levski, Botev, Rakovski, Raina Knyaginya. Courage always opposes fear, whether it's justified or not, because it is backed by strength and motivation greater than the fear itself. On the other hand, fear is not always beneficial for us. Being afraid of ghosts is not equivalent to being afraid of heights. Being scared of making the wrong decision in a situation is not the same as always being afraid when you have to decide independently. Why? Sometimes fear is justified, sometimes it's not. At times it may protect you, but more often it just keeps you in pause and worry. It depends on what motivates it – whether it's the desire to avoid sin, to please God, and help someone, or the desire to cope alone and the burden of that impossible weight: "Fear turns into a snare before people; but whoever trusts in the Lord will be safe." (Book of Proverbs, ch. 29, v. 25*)
Courage must be motivated by love
Why in God's word is courage not the opposite of fear? It says: "Love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because we are in this world as He is. There is no fear in love. Perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (First Epistle of John, ch. 4, vv. 17-18*, bold text is ours). According to the Bible, the opposite of fear is love. It is the main motivator that challenges us to stand against logic, emotions, dangers, possible scenarios, suffering, loss, or even death in the name of doing God's will. This is what our Lord Jesus Christ did on the cross, and before that in the Garden of Gethsemane when the sweat from His face dripped to the ground mixed with blood. To love and live like Christ is a battle. Many times we have to stand against ourselves, circumstances, predictions, and even human reason. But if we know that God requires something of us and we see that it is Biblically motivated and justified for the good of others or even ourselves, then we have no choice but to be courageous. Courage is not a feeling. It is an action. The step of love you, I, we must take in the right direction to fulfill God's plan for the day, the month, for our lives.
Challenge of the week: Is there something you know you need to do but have successfully ignored and postponed for a long time? Do you know that God wants it from you for your good and the good of those around you? What stops you, what scenario of loss and failure do you see before you that stops you from being brave? Is it possible you've forgotten Who is with you and Who calls you to do it? Let this verse encourage you to act bravely this week: "He became their Savior. He sympathized with them in all their distress, and the angel of His presence saved them; He redeemed them with His love and compassion, carried them, and bore them through all the days of old." (Book of Prophet Isaiah, ch. 63, vv. 8b-9*, bold text is ours) The step of courage will be His, you just jump into the embrace of your Heavenly Father.
*Biblical quotes are according to the text of Bible, new translation from the original languages © Bulgarian Bible Society 2013.
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