Disciplesplanet

“Whether you think you can, or whether you think you can’t; either way you will be right!”¹ which is a very reasonable observation, as it has been said “life shrinks and expands in proportion to one’s courage” ² and the “the desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.” ³ This is often because we first world westerners labour tirelessly to minimise pain, yet “one does not become fully human painlessly” ⁴ that is why it has also been mooted that most endeavours, and the best of human nature require this foundational virtue for, "courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality that guarantees all the others."⁵  
For the follower of Christ “Courage is simply fear that has said its prayers.” ⁶ and is fortified by the knowledge that even though “the God of Israel is sometimes a God who hides Himself, He is never a God who absents Himself, sometimes in the dark but never at a distance.”⁷ We are also reassured that even though “you cannot see God’s hand, you can always trust His heart.”⁸ This is why the exhortation to Joshua the son of Nun was so rich and emboldening, because it came from the ONLY ONE who could promise and deliver so utterly and completely; “…Be strong and courageous. Never be afraid or discouraged because I am your God, the Eternal One, and I will remain with you wherever you go.”⁹ 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               S.W.Varcoe

References: ¹ Henry Ford; ² Anais Nin; ³ Tacitus; ⁴ Dr Rollo May; ⁵ Sir Winston Churchill; ⁶ Dr Karl Barth; ⁷ Matthew Henry; ⁸ Dr Vance Havner; ⁹ El Elchad (The ONE God) Joshua 1:9