On Strength and Courage

The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. Matthew 11:12

How do I apply this nugget of truth correctly and courageously? God spoke to Joshua and said, "Be strong and of good courage". If we are going to possess the Kingdom now, there is need for strength and there is need for courage.

I recently heard Bill Johnson speak on the incredible story of Jesus sleeping in a boat during a terrible storm. The disciples, also in the boat, were desperate, literally beside themselves in fear. Jesus finally awakened only to rebuke them for their lack of faith. Bill then made this statement,

You will only overcome storms you can sleep through.

It seems like a contradiction.....sleep and be forceful at the same time. But, that is the truth of the matter...and Jesus modeled that time after time. One of the most difficult storms to overcome in life is the fear of loneliness, the fear of being cut off from others. It is difficult to walk alone. God said in Genesis that "it is not good that man should be alone." It is a very real, legitimate concern in life.

When we can "sleep" through the seasons of life that require us to be alone, we will have become strong and courageous in ways that only God can impart.

Another thought on Strength and Courage. Sometimes being strong and of good courage includes things like face to face confrontation, verbal correction and rebuke. It sometimes includes making decisions that require risk (faith). Teddy Roosevelt made this statement that says it well:

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly…who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have never known neither victory nor defeat.

I will end this notion with a statement that also must be courageously applied to life.

"We sometimes are willing to engage in a battle if we know we will win. But, being victorious in life doesn't always mean we will win. Being victorious in life means that we "played by the rules".

Paul died, most likely in prison. Almost every one of the 12 disciples died as martyrs, except John (who lost his eyes and was banished to the isle of Patmos). Jesus died a violent death.It takes courage and strength to "play by the rules" and leave the end result up to God.