Share Your Courage With Others

    As this pandemic continues we find ourselves in a unique set of circumstances. Our chief medical officer has instructed us to avoid personal contact with others (keep 2m/6ft away) but it has led us, now more than ever, to seek out our neighbours, family, and friends. We check in with them (from a distance, by phone, or online), asking if they are well or if they need anything to be dropped off.  Considerate connections have actually increased because of the quarantine measures and with that we have wonderful opportunities!

"Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others." 

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

    I liked this quote as soon as I read it! What we say to others (through word or action) has an affect on them, are we impacting them with negativity or with hope? It's something to consider! If I may, I would go one step further and tweak Stevenson's quote a little bit and suggest: 

"Give your fears to God so you can share your courage with others."

     

    A couple weeks ago we looked at Philippians 4:6-8 (you can read that article here). We learned that when we give our anxieties to God, ask Him for help (Hebrews 4:16), and look for reasons to be thankful (Philippians 4:8), He will bless us with His peace, a peace that surpasses all understanding! When we leave our fears with Him and go about our day enveloped in His peace, joyfully focused on gratitude and thanksgiving, we will have a different attitude, a better perspective, a calmer disposition, and people are very likely going to ask why (1Peter3:15)!

    We have these unique circumstances in which to prove that God's way is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:1-2)! God does not want us to conform to the world, to be fearful and panic-driven; He wants us to "be transformed by the renewing of our minds" - renewed in trust of His promises, trust in His love and care, trust in His faithfulness! Renewed each day that we choose faith over fear, renewed each time that we choose conviction over convenience! 

    When others are only thinking of themselves, selfishly panic hoarding, being rude and inconsiderate because they are fearful, you can be different. You can do the unexpected. You can have peace and patience, you can have calm and consideration, quietly, carefully looking for ways to be helpful in these difficult times. You can be courageous knowing God is over all (Ephesians 4:6), He is still in control (Psalm 11:3-4), and He will still provide (Matthew 6:25-34)! 

    Let's use these unique circumstances we find ourselves in as a wonderful opportunity to "do good to all" (Galatians 6:9-10)  and prove God's perfect way! Let's give our fears to God and share our courage with others by confidently trusting in God and continuing to flourish in faith!!

You can do it! So can I!!