The Source of True Courage

2 Corinthians 5:6-9

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Are you a courageous person?  Most people would probably not picture themselves like that.  In fact, when people who have done something very courageous are later called heroes, they don’t claim the title easily.  They say things like, “I was just doing my job.”  When we think of courageous people we think of superheroes, not regular people just fulfilling their calling.

But, true courage isn’t about superheroes and fantasy.  True courage is precisely about “doing your job” faithfully.  

But, what about extreme situations?  What about when your life really is on the line?  In those situations, you need more.  In that case, it is important to remember Jesus.

Our Lord Jesus was faithful in the greatest confrontation of all time.  He came into the world to face evil for us, and free us from our sins.  He came fully knowing that our salvation would cost Him His life.  Yet, Jesus still came.  Why?  He came because His courage wasn’t simply a lack of fear.  It was a fulness of faith and certainty of the Joy of your salvation.  Jesus was able to face the most ferocious battle and be victorious because His in divine love He could overcome even our sins.

Through faith in Jesus we are given such courage.  How is this so?  Through faith in Jesus we have the forgiveness of our sins and the certainty of His resurrection for our mortal bodies.  We know that there is no loss in this life that can take away the eternal life that God sealed to us in our Baptism.  Through faith in Jesus, our courage is the courage of faith that alone lets us see our eternal life.  We walk by faith, and not simple human sight. 

Therefore, we can be courageous in the fulfilling of our daily calling.  Even though we are usually called to things far less dramatic than those depicted in any superhero movie, we are strong through faith in the Lord.  And should we find our challenges to be most difficult, these challenges are never beyond God’s ability to strengthen us, our Savior’s victory for us and the promise of our resurrection to eternal life.

Let us pray,

I thank you Lord for granting me a courageous faith in my baptism. Help me to remember your victory when I face challenges in my daily work, for I walk by faith and not sight.

In your name I pray, AMEN.  

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.