Most Christians tend to understand what the Lord desires because He has written it on our hearts (Hebrews 8:10). We know we should tell the truth, be kind, generous, show mercy, forgive others, defend the weak, comfort the hurting, and love our neighbors. Basically, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. We are to love God and love our neighbors.

Yet, sometimes saying it is easier than actually doing it. Why? Courage. It is courage that defends all other virtues, and without it, you will find it challenging to face worldly pressures and temptations. Courage is the counter to fear, and you can have both at the same time. Fear is a powerful tool of the enemy, and it does not come from God.

(2 Timothy 1:6-7 NKJV) Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Fear is an emotion that you feel, an oppression. Courage is the action you take even while you are afraid. John Wayne said it well, "Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway." You can be scared, but you don't allow it to stop you from doing what is right.

It takes courage to tell the truth when a little white lie would avoid confrontation. When "everyone else is doing it," can you be the one who doesn't? What about when it comes time to tithe, but money is tight, does God come first, or last?

Believe me, God will force you to make choices like this. I have been set up for a "test of character" so many times that it would make a hilarious video. Like when a cashier gives you back too much change, and you could really use the money, but you know in your heart you have to give it back. Jesus was clear that you cannot serve two masters, for you will love one and despise the other.

(Luke 16:13 NKJV) "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

Mammon is "wealth." If you don't surrender your wallet to the Lord, you will begin to despise Him for always trying to take what you love away. He's not doing it to be mean. Pressure brings the real you to the surface, that squishy dark part we like to cover with our plastic church face. The Lord likes to apply pressure and squeeze so it all comes to the surface, and you can see what's really in there. He already knows and loves you anyway, so much so that He won't leave you like that. He squeezes it all out like a sponge.

It always takes courage to do what is right. Throughout Scripture, you will find that the overcomers were courageous people who faced fear and danger yet moved forward with what the Lord had called them to do anyway. I am sure most of the ones we read about in the Bible felt fear, but it did not stop them.

Moses had to return to Egypt to face Pharaoh after he had killed an Egyptian and fled. Pharaoh was the most powerful ruler in the region at the time, while Moses was a humble shepherd. He certainly did not want to go back and face Pharaoh, and he even made excuses, but he went because the Lord told him to, and he humiliated and defeated Pharaoh (Exodus 3:11-4:12).

Joshua and Caleb tried to encourage Israel to enter the Promised Land after the spies brought back a bad report that giants were living there, and they felt like grasshoppers before them. It would have been easier for them to just agree with the other ten spies rather than take a stand, but they chose to do what is right. They were the only two spies who made it to the Promised Land (Numbers 14:6-9).

Gideon was the least of his family, whose clan was the weakest in his tribe. He did not want to start a war with the Midianites, who were so numerous they were difficult to count. Gideon made excuses and asked for confirmation with a fleece; finally, he went, and the Midianites turned on one another and wiped each other out. Gideon defeated the vast army with 300 men (Judges 7:2-22).

David faced the giant Goliath on the battlefield and defeated him while King Saul and the Israelite army cowered in fear. I am sure David felt fear walking out there, but he went anyway. That is courage, facing the giant (1 Samuel 17:45-51).

Esther went in to see the king and plead for mercy for her people, even though entering his presence un-summoned was a death sentence. She risked her life to do what was right, even though she was afraid and did not want to go. She said, If I perish, I perish (Esther 4:13-16).

Daniel kept praying to the Lord each day, though the king had passed a decree banning praying to anyone but him. When it was discovered, Daniel was thrown into a den of lions, but the Lord protected him, and he was not harmed. He was taken out the next day and promoted (Daniel 6:10-17).

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to a ninety-foot-tall golden statue King Nebuchadnezzar had made. He became furious at them for disobeying him, but they told him, "Our God is able to deliver us from your hand, but even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we do not serve your gods." The king became even angrier and had the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual, and had them bound and thrown into it. But only the ropes holding them were burned away. Jesus met them in the furnace, and when they were let out, they didn't even smell like smoke (Daniel 3:15-25). That took courage.

Elijah faced about 850 false prophets on Mount Carmel, where he challenged them to call down fire from heaven, but they could not do it. They cut themselves and danced around the altar they had built until noon, while Elijah taunted them, saying, "Perhaps your god is asleep or meditating. Shout louder so he can hear you." When they gave up, Elijah prayed, and the fire of God fell on his altar (1 Kings 18:26-39).

Micaiah is one you don't hear about often, but he was a courageous prophet. All the other prophets were prophesying success for the king of Israel in an upcoming battle. The messenger told Micaiah that all the other prophets were encouraging the king, and that he should do so as well. But Micaiah told the king he wouldn't survive the battle, and if you return, the Lord hasn't spoken through me (2 Chronicles 18:11-17).

There are so many more, Amos, Jonah, Peter, Paul, Stephen, Ananias of Damascus, but I believe I have covered the message that came to me. These were people of faith who moved forward because they were courageous. Fear was always there, but it didn't stop them. It was merely like an opposing wind.

You can pray this with me if you like:

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please put Your mind in me and give me the courage to face the day. I know You are with me, and if God is with us, who can stand against us? I love You and thank You today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!