If you’ve watched The Wizard of Oz, a timeless classic, you’re familiar with the lion’s pursuit of courage. He journeyed with Dorothy and the other friends she picked up on the way to meet the wizard, who she was told could help her find her way back home. The lion, as did all Dorothy’s friends, learned a valuable lesson: he always had the gift of courage inside him; he just had to find a way to explore it, properly exercise it to fully realize it, then seize it. It might be a tale, but paints a true message.
What is courage? In a nutshell, it’s inner strength to apply faith. Courage is the ability to overcome fear and difficulty and be triumphant. Courage is what Joshua said it would take to walk victoriously in the Promised Land.
The thing is, courage is not something you can be taught by merely reading a book—even the Bible—or attending church or going to school. Courage relates to your inner constitution—which is very multidimensional.
RELEVANCE
You inner constitution encompasses much. Unfortunately, it absorbs the blows, curveballs and fiery darts sent your way daily, ever since you were born. You can try to have a therapist or counselor help you make sense of things. However, your inner constitution was designed to be uniquely fashioned by God through His Word and Holy Spirit through trials and exercise.
So as much as you would condition physical strength through physical exercise, the truth is, your inner constitution likewise hungers—in more ways than you might think—to be conditioned through exercise by applying God’s Word and Holy Spirit along the paths and trials of life.
Yes, there are many popular substitute forms out there. Many people go from trying one thing or another. Some bring a form of peace, or perhaps type of coping mechanism. But deep down, your inner being knows the real thing from counterfeits—even close counterfeits. It was designed and wired to align with its Creator.
In fact, the issue of being strengthened is so multidimensional, that it’s amazing how many different words God uses to describe the many facets of strength His authentic Holy Spirit offers us! Consider some and their contexts:
Chayil: virtue, valor, strength, might, power, substance (Psalm 18:32)
Tsur: rock strength (Psalm 18:2; Isaiah 26:4)
Chazak: take courage, fortify, conquer, prevail (Psalm 18:1; Isaiah 35:3)
Azaz: to be stout, strong, prevail, strengthen (Ecclesiastes 7:19)
Chocen: wealth, riches, strength, treasure (Isaiah 33:6)
Gibuwrah: victory, force, mastery, might (Isaiah 11:2)
Koach: capacity, ability, strength, vigor (Isaiah 40:29)
Own: ability, substance, power (Isaiah 40:29)
Otsmah: abundance, strength (Isaiah 40:29)
Sawad: comfort, strengthen, refresh, establish (Psalm 20:2)
Amats: strengthen, establish, fortify, make courageous (Psalm 27:14)
Ma’oz: defence, fortress, place of strength (Isaiah 25:4)
Dunamis: miraculous power, ability, abundance, strength (Acts 1:8)
Exousia: capacity, competency, power, strength (Luke 10:19)
Endunamoo: to increase in strength, enable, empower (Acts 9:22)
Kratos: vigor, dominion, might, power, strength (Ephesians 1:19)
Be encouraged, my friend. Jacob spent twenty years working for Laban and another ten or so years in Succoth and Shechem enduring harsh trials before returning to the land of his inheritance in Hebron. David experienced many trials during eight years on the run while being hunted by King Saul. Elijah spent three years being fed by ravens and a widow before calling fire from heaven. Paul went through stints of three and fourteen years in Arabia, Syria and Cilicia, not to mention periods in prison, before embarking on his greatest missions.
Your journey might take you through the wilderness or the backsides of mountains. But know this: God fashions strength through life; specifically the trials of life. He grows more than mere faith and removes more than sin and iniquity. He purposes to strengthen us in understanding, wisdom and courage. He desires to bring us into intimacy and train us so that those “who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits” (Daniel 11:32-33); or prevail and accomplish much—bear good fruit.
REFLECT AND RELATE
What paths have you traveled through? What trials have you experienced? What lessons have you learned along the way? What issues are you still sorting through? As you reflect, you might want to chronicle some of the deep lessons you’ve learned. God uses such lists to remind and refresh us so we will triumph and experience greater rewards in future opportunities.
REFERENCES
John 1:12; Colossians 1:9-11; Ephesians 3:20; Ephesians 6:10