Soul Care - Courage
by Mary Elsbury
One of the first movies I remember watching was “The Wizard of Oz.” I loved the characters, the music, and the overall story. One of my favorite encounters involved the Lion. The first time the Lion encounters Dorothy, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man, Dorothy smacks him on the nose for being a bully. She quickly realizes he's all bluster:
Dorothy: My goodness, what a fuss you're making! Well, naturally, when you go around picking on things weaker than you are. Why, you're nothing but a great big coward!
Cowardly Lion: [crying] You're right, I am a coward! I haven't any courage at all. I even scare myself. [sobbing] Look at the circles under my eyes. I haven't slept in weeks!
Tin Man: Why don't you try counting sheep?
Cowardly Lion: That doesn't do any good, I'm afraid of 'em!
(copyright MGM Studios, 1939)
Deep down, I think we are all like the Cowardly Lion. We have lots of fears and very little courage. As working women, we may have male bosses that intimidate us. As mothers, we worry about how the world is affecting our children. Single ladies may be involved in relationships that are not the best, but the idea of being alone is terrifying.
Fortunately for us, the Bible provides great examples of how to be courageous when faced with adversity. The Greek word “courage” literally means “boldness and confidence.” In the Bible, courage is the opposite of fear. When God commands us to fear not, to be of good cheer, and to have courage, He is always commanding against fear. But God doesn’t simply command courage with no reason behind it. In nearly every incident where God says, “fear not,” there follows a reason to have courage, and that reason is God Himself.
Some things never change. We are thick-headed people just like those in Scripture. Look at Moses – he didn’t want to be the spokesperson. But God told him “I will be with you” (Ex. 3:12, 4:12) at the start and end of the “sending” conversation.
Joshua had to be told three times to “Be strong and courageous” and “Be strong and very courageous” and “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.” (Joshua 1:6, 7, 9) As one of my favorite pastors always said, “If it’s repeated, it’s important.”
Thankfully, we have examples of great courage under pressure. Look at Jochebed, Moses’ mother. She hid her son from Pharaoh’s army and then had the courage to put him in the river so he could be found and raised. She believed God would protect her son. Deborah was a judge and is the only woman mentioned in the Bible for her work apart from her husband. Abigail interceded for her husband and won David’s favor and spared her household bloodshed. The widow of Zarephath totally relied on God for provision when she gave the last of her oil and flour to Elijah for a meal. A woman who had been bleeding for 12 years had enough courage to touch the hem of Jesus’ robe for healing.
All the actions of those women took guts and determination – and reliance on God. We can’t do things on our own. Overcoming fears takes help. Secure a good counselor to talk with. Find another woman as an accountability partner. Write things down you are grateful for – and review the list when life becomes difficult. Look at the worst-case scenario and try to use humor to deflate your fears.
Don’t be like the Cowardly Lion who was afraid of everything. Remember you are the daughter of the King who loves you, is always with you, and walks with you!
