Courage

Have you ever thought about the fact that THE prerequisite of courage is fear?

Christ has sent the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete, the Comforter (from "cum forte" with strength), to encourage and strengthen us through our times of trial.

"Fear not!" Christ says, and then He gives us Someone who comes alongside and stands with us through our fears.

(Thank you to RC Sproul's ministry at Ligonier for this thought this morning!)

Comments

[Chris]

1.

There are those who see difficulty and do not fear, going boldly and with courage forward. Though, being afraid and continuing is certainly courage, I would differ that fear is "THE prerequisite". Few things in life are absolute and that statement seemed too absolute to me. A burning building, flames billowing... knowing the danger and the consequence of running into such a building to save a screaming child and going in anyway is courageous. Knowledge and understanding of the potential danger seems to be more of a beginning point for courage. Some will be stirred with fear, others excitement, and some with an almost calm acceptance more like a footnote to the job at hand.

If you have never been burned, never known or learned about the dangers of fire, you may run in without a second thought... that would seem more like ignorance than courage. So knowledge seems key to courage until we deal with the common idea and saying, fear of the unknown. Now the unknown can once again bring people to different places, fear, excitement, etc. But some form of understanding takes place, that the potential for a negative outcome could take place. No matter how the circumstances affect us, we are all courageous when putting ourselves at risk. Save a child, cross a street, tell someone you love them, jump out of a plane, dive deep into the sea...