Are you Courageous?

Hey Sis,

Since the last newsletter, time flew by. I travelled for my birthday and my body is still readjusting due to the time difference and the fun I had. Plus, I was given an unexpected surprise by my family. I really felt loved, thank you. This week’s newsletter is somewhat a continuation on the topic of faith. I hope it encourages you on your faith journey.

I believe faith and courage go hand in hand. It can take a lot of strength to have faith sometimes. This is especially when everything looks hopeless, but it takes courage to act out your faith. According to the dictionary, “courage is the ability to do something that frightens one or strength in the face of pain or grief.”

Looking in the bible there are many people I can write about having faith in God's word and having the courage to act it out. One story I would like to focus on is in Daniel 3:8-30. This is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
 
In this story, King Nebuchadnezzar made a decree that everyone must bow down to a gold statue that he built and whoever does not will be thrown into a blazing furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego went against that decree. The three of them refused to bow down to the statue which angered the king and led to them being thrown into the blazing furnace. Before the King ordered for them to be thrown into the furnace, they were given another chance to change their minds, but they refused (Daniel 3:16- 18)
 
They had faith in God regardless of their reality and dared to voice this out, knowing fully well the consequence of their disobedience to the King. Even though death was looming they did not waver in their faith. The king went as far as making the fire seven times hotter for them, but they stayed courageous in their faith in God. The bibles declares that we should be strong and courageous, for God will personally go ahead of you and will not fail or abandon you (Deuteronomy 31:6).

For us to stand strong and be courageous we must remember His promise that He will not leave nor forsake us despite the outcome. I believe these were the words the three men were holding on to. In Daniel 3:18 the three of them said even if God does not save us, we are not bowing down to a false god.

Ask yourself, are you that courageous?

Many people have faith in God, but they are afraid, and so, that hinders them from taking the next step to activate their faith. It is through your actions that your faith comes alive. Faith is belief; it takes courage to act it out. One saying I always say to myself is “feel the fear but do it anyway.” Do not let fear hold you back from doing what God has placed in your heart to do or what the bible tells you to do. Even when you feel afraid do not allow yourself to be overwhelmed by fear. Talk to God about it and allow your faith to be bigger than your fears, doubts or whatever it is that is stopping you from taking the next steps needed. Be strong and courageous is repeated several times in the bible (Deuteronomy 31:6; Deuteronomy 31:8 and Joshua 1:9). God seems to want to emphasise to us that in our courage, He does not plan to leave nor forsake us. He does not want us to forget this.

The fire was supposed to burn Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego but God was with them and when the King saw they were still alive he brought them out and had no choice but to promote them because he saw the God which they served. Sometimes it is not what we say about God that stays with people but what we allow God to do through us to show himself to the world. Know that you are victorious in Your current battles because God will use it to elevate you like never before. You only must stay strong and be encouraged. In doing so, you will come through better than before. Do not compromise amid fear. Let the word of God fuel your faith and keep pushing you to have courage.
 
If you want to read more about people who had great faith and courage to do what was needed Hebrews 11 is a great place to start.

Have a courageous week.
❤️+ 💡