Firefighters, law enforcement officers, military members, emergency room doctors—there is something that makes these professionals stand out from the crowd. In order to help, they run toward adverse situations when a more instinctive reaction might be to run away from them. They are able to do this in large part because of the instruction and training they’ve received regarding what to do in adverse situations. Their training and equipment give them the confidence to be courageous.
As God’s children, we also face adversity at times—situations we may regard as dangerous, difficult, or painful. But we too are equipped to be courageous. God’s Word provides us with the promises and instruction we need to be confident when facing adversity.
One dictionary says “courage” is the attitude or response of facing and dealing with anything recognized as dangerous, difficult, or painful, instead of withdrawing from it. Genuine courage comes with sticking faithfully to God’s precepts and principles on a daily basis, no matter how easy or challenging it is. Courage involves believing, faithfulness, commitment, endurance, strength, and fearless action. Let’s consider one adverse situation we may encounter and how we can face it with courage.
Financial pressure can definitely be seen as an adverse situation. For example, unexpected medical bills can pose a danger to one’s financial security. Perhaps figuring out how to pay for a child’s college education can be overwhelming. The perceived need for more financial abundance could be difficult to deal with, causing us mental and even physical pain. The good news is that in His Word, God Almighty, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, provides instruction in all things pertaining to life and godliness. God equips us for anything we could face, including a financial challenge.
II Timothy 1:7:
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
In a situation of financial need, we don’t need to be afraid. We can go to God’s Word to see what actions we should take. Knowing what to do gives us the courage to move forward toward a solution.
Let’s see one action God instructs us to take that can help give us courage in financial adversity.
Malachi 3:10-12:
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.
And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.
God instructs His people to tithe—return a tenth of one’s financial increase—to Him. Faithfully taking action on His Word in this category is courageous. It might seem illogical by the five senses to give away money when we need money. It can be difficult to do something that seems counterintuitive to bringing about the outcome we want. I have experienced this in my service as a firefighter. When I helped put out my first house fire, I had instruction and training, I had equipment, I had help. But it was still a very odd feeling the first time I deliberately went into a burning building with the intent of making the situation better. But you know what? It worked. I was confident when facing this situation because I had everything I needed so that I could help put out the fire safely. I had a positive outcome.
Likewise, we might feel some resistance to tithing when facing serious financial pressure. But we believe God’s Word, staying faithful and committed to the truth. Fearless action on the Word gives us the confidence and strength to endure the hardship. When we take to heart the promises of God’s Word and courageously act on God’s instruction in this category, we can move from financial adversity to blessings so abundant that there shall not be room enough to receive them!
Just as the courageous men and women in military and emergency services have training they can trust to successfully face adversity, we have instruction we can trust, from the pages of God’s matchless Word. We too are equipped—with promises and instruction in the more than abundant life. As we believe and act on God’s Word in every situation, including times of financial difficulty, we are courageous!
There is no doubt that courage is a quality that each of us desires to manifest in our lives. When we are challenged with mental or physical attacks, we strengthen our minds with the truth of the Word of God and take action on the Word that we know. We face adversity with courage!