Courage in Place of Fear
by Tom Ellsworth
In the life to come we are promised a perfect environment, free from sin, temptation, anxiety and fear. There the lion will lie down with the lamb but not before. Unfortunately, this mortal life is still fraught with fears of all shapes and sizes.
Our oldest grandson (just turned ten years old) spent the night with us recently and was drawn to the news of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine like a moth to a light. His was a mixture of curiosity and subtle fear. The “what if” questions popped up in conversation every few minutes. I understand his concern. Having taught in Russia and having had students from Ukraine, I fear for our Christian family caught in midst of wicked leaders propelled by the lust for power and control. Fear is all around us.
And have you noticed how the news media shapes our fear? In the US, ninety people die every day in auto accidents, but I can’t remember the last time I drove away from the house in fear. But let the media report on a rogue shark attack somewhere along the Atlantic coast, and people everywhere fear going to the beach. (Last year, shark attacks resulted in only nine fatalities worldwide. [citation below])
Fear makes for a distressing companion. At the mention of COVID, fear rears its ugly head. Bullies on the playground strike fear in the hearts of good students. Inflation reduces our usable income and increases our fear of the future. Fear grips us as we slide into the MRI tube, as we hear the whir of the dentist’s drill, as we slip behind the wheel for a driving exam. And fear of the unknown is the worst – we can’t do anything about the “what ifs” of life because they haven’t happened yet, but that doesn’t prevent the unknown maybes from haunting us. Are you the kind of person who, when everything is great in life, can’t enjoy it because you are fearfully waiting for another shoe to drop? Think back to the story of the storm-tossed disciples on the Sea of Galilee. As Jesus approached them on the water, they were terrified of the “what if,” this unknown specter rising and falling on the crest of the waves. Then Jesus spoke, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” (Matt. 14:27). What inspiring words to counter their dread!
Given the dominance of fear, elders will need godly courage to face the spiritual challenges of the 21st century church. Lest you despair at those words, remember, we are not alone; Kingdom leadership has been a battle against fear from the beginning of church history.
The good doctor Luke challenges us with the response of Peter and John in the early days of the church. When hauled before the earthly authorities for healing a crippled man on the Sabbath, Peter preached! After the sermon, we read that “when they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
Amid your fears, try practicing these tools of courage.
Spend time with Jesus. When you’ve been with Jesus, like Peter and John, courage comes. Is the courage of your faith stronger than your fear of this world? Clare Boothe Luce once said, “Courage is the ladder on which all the other virtues mount.” John Wayne said, “Courage is being scared to death – and saddling up anyway.” Billy Graham said, “Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened.” Spend time with Jesus – a relationship with Him builds courage.
Speak up! When confronted with the angry authorities, Peter didn’t fall silent, he preached. Remember Paul’s admonition – “speak the truth in love.” As leaders in the local church, elders have the responsibility to speak up for the Lord, his Word and his Church. If we don’t speak up in love, who will?
Do what is right. Later in Acts four, the Jewish authorities recalled Peter and John and commanded them not to speak or teach in the Name of Jesus. The apostles’ response is inspiring: “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20). No earthly mandate could trump God’s authority; they were going to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Elders, be committed to what is right in God’s sight.
It takes courage to put Christ first in a society that no longer holds to the godly values of our heritage. When I entered ministry, I never dreamed that gay marriage would become law, that living together before marriage would seem the right thing to do, that transgender changes would be celebrated, that abortions would number over 60 million - a number over 1.5 times the population of Canada.
It takes courage to live lives of purity in a day when access to internet pornography is only a click away. If it is a problem for you, get help; if you don’t, it will destroy your marriage and your credibility. Be courageous and get help; don’t let anything destroy your integrity.
It takes courage not to pass along gossip but to let it die at your feet.
It takes courage to be calm and kind in the face of angry complaints and unjust allegations.
It takes courage to stand for God’s timeless Word when the world dismisses the Bible as out of touch.
Be courageous elders; spend time with Jesus, speak up for him, do what is right. There is, however, one fear that is vital – “Now all has been heard: here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of every human being.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 TNIV).
shark attack citation: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/shark-attacks/yearly-worldwide-summary/
