“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” ― Winston S. Churchill
Philippians 1:12-14 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
2 Timothy 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.
What an incredible message Paul has in his letter to the Philippians and to us! Even though his hard work, discipline, and faithfulness led him to chains, he was not discouraged. He used his situation as a tool to give others courage. Like Paul, we can choose to be courageous in times of distress. We can also choose to be courageous in times of success and even failure. We are in fact commanded to do so, and in the next breath reminded that the Lord OUR GOD will be with us where ever we go. Life will not always be easy, and no one ever said it would be, but we need to stand firm in our faith, we need to be strong, we need to be courageous. We have the capability to do so. Timothy reminds us that our spirits were not made for the timid, they were made for power, love, and self-discipline. Today You Can be courageous, because regardless of your fate, it is the courage to continue that counts!
(Photo by Michael Spain on Unsplash)
