A Call to Courage

Dec 21

Written By Jessica

This morning is just one of those mornings. I’m feeling burnt out and melancholy, and then I hop on the internet at work and what do I see? Headline after headline of heartache, tragedy, anger, and injustice.

Come Lord Jesus, Come.

But, in this life, we were never promised sunshine and roses. In fact, quite the opposite. Jesus tells us in John 16:33 (pictured), “in the world you will have tribulation.” Yikes.

As Jesus is preparing to be crucified and imparting some last words of comfort to the disciples here in John 16:33, He says, “’I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world’” (ESV). That phrase, “Take heart; I have overcome the world” is so special. The original Greek is tharséō, which is defined as "to be of good courage." However, the meaning goes a little deeper. The word does not merely mean to be courageous, but to have courage because you are emboldened by something within. For us, that something is Christ.

We know this because He says, "that in me you may have peace," and ends with, "I have overcome the world." Take heart, dear sister in Christ! For He has overcome the world.

Throughout Scripture, we see calls to courage and the command not to fear, because the Lord–the only One who is all powerful and capable of saving–is for us.

Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us to, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” (ESV). In Joshua 1:9 and Isaiah 41:10 (just to name a few), we see similar calls to courage BECAUSE God is the One who is fighting for us. Because He will never abandon us.

Abba Father, I pray that as we encounter trials and disappointments this week, we would remember exactly Who we belong to. That we be bold and courageous because we know You are for us. That we be strengthened by the encouragement that You will never leave us or forsake us. May we root ourselves in the truth of who You are. In the strong name of Jesus, Amen.

Jessica

Redeemed by grace alone through Christ’s gift of salvation, Jessica is a 29 year old passionate about encouraging fellow sisters to pursue a deeper understanding of God’s truth through a deeper understanding of His word!

Jessica works as an occupational therapy assistant for the US Army and is a Georgia peach currently transplanted to North Carolina. She is a cat mom and soon to be newly wed (December 11, 2022!), who enjoys spending her time in Bible study, baking, and all kinds of outdoor activities.

You can connect with her on Instagram here.