Courage: Let us be courageous.
My 14 year old daughter came to me a bit ago, stating that she had something to share with me. It was something that spoke a very true, core principle, to her.
What she shared with me, was a quote from one of her favorite books:
"I read once that courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision that something is more important than that fear."
And, I am coming to understand, it is a decision made, in the heart & mind of that individual, before - sometimes long before, that moment, requiring courage to stand, ever even arrives...
In one of my favorite books; one of my core books, I read the history of a time in the life of a man, named Moroni. He was a man that was given the sacred role, to be a captain over an army that was to defend itself against an out numbering, attacking & incredibly fierce army. He knew the truth of where & why he stood. And in that, he was able to valiantly & courageously lead his army in the defense of those things "most dear " unto them. One of those, as he stated, was "the sacred support which we owe to our wives & our children". He knew who he was in the lives of those he loved, he knew what he stood for - what meant the most to him, & he choose to stand.
Moments before he made this declaration, when in the midst of hand-to-hand mortal combat, Moroni saw that the fierce army they were in the midst of, were about to be defeated by his army. In that moment, when he saw he & his army had the "advantage", he commanded his men to stop & "remove themselves a pace". This action & decision spoke volumes to my heart & mind about the integrity, valiance & the courage - of what it really is & how we are discussing it here - of this man. He loved & chose freedom, goodness and life - for him, his family, his people & even those who self-chose to be his enemy. This reveals to me the purity & truth that filled this mans heart. It also shows a core principle of courage itself.
(Artist Larry Winborg's depiction of Captain Moroni, kneeling before God, holding his chosen "Title of Liberty".)
Before both of these moments, his army was about to give way to fear & be defeated by that fierce host before them. In that moment, this man was given to inspire the hearts of those he'd been entrusted to lead, that they to may choose to stand & thus to overcome & triumph in that very moment when they needed it the most. He inspired them with the thoughts of their freedom. He saw & spoke truth, courageously & in the moment - a moment that would have likely overcome any man with fear - IF he had not known & decided before hand; knowing the truth for & in himself. Without him & his courageous choices in that moment, they all would have likely perished because of fear.
This man's history, read in detail, portrays a very real state of where we stand, where we are given to stand today - as individuals, as couples, as parents in leading our families. It shows the reality that every courageous choice & being able to stand in any moment, is preceded by that same choice - to stand for & in Truth - again & again & again.
Individually & together, we get to make that decision. We get to choose. We get to decide that something - our divinely instituted, upheld & entrusted role & privilege as parents - and what this brings "to pass", is more important than a fear - whatever form that "fear" may take; whatever "trigger" or falsity-based "unbelief" you currently may have getting in your way & allowing to steal your & your family's peace, calm & safety.
Freedom
Herein is freedom - freedom from the emotional bondage of bad habits & destructive learned behaviors & ways of doing things, freedom from fears & from the destruction's that come from it: the Truth. When you see what is, for what it is & DECIDE that what you want in your heart is more important than anything else that you may fear or triggers you, you will be free. When we make this decision - again & again, however often it is necessary & requires we do so, whatever "fear", or in other words, whatever "trigger" was there, no longer has power over us. Because we decided. We chose to look to & choose the truth instead. We are free...& so are those around us that we are given & entrusted to influence for good, for Him who gave us this gift, to so choose & so do.
Have Courage: It IS worth it!
Nicholeen Peck shares, in a blog post titled; "Have Courage!":
"Life isn't for the weak or timid. It takes courage to live up to our roles each day. To be mothers and fathers, husbands and wives is not always easy. It requires personal sacrifice and dedication to a great goal; a vision of what will be one day even though times are hard now. Keep going. Develop your courage now." (Read more)
The fact is, choosing truth is going to require greatly of you. It is going to be "going against the grain" of past learning & destructive, but "easy" or "comfortable" & honestly, ineffective habits of emotional reactions, of using this or that as an excuse to not get up & do what is required, of having to rise up, get on your knees & into your heart, love with all that you are, connect with your child, your spouse & your Creator heart-to-heart, in truth, & learn to teach truth as He is giving us to. It isn't going to be easy. Again, it is going to require greatly of you. AND... it is so, so worth it! Ever single moment of it. Just ask anyone who has and is making this choice. The true joy & real freedom at every step is worth every effort required.
The Choice is Up to You
Truth is in opposition to the distracted, not-thinking, non-looking & thus blind & deaf following-the-herd-down-stream flowing mentality of the larger society or group we may be in this world. Always has been this way. Always will be. It isn't going to be easy or be comfortable - especially at first & anytime you seek to rise up. It makes us & others around us "uncomfortable", as it shakes our "comfortable" state & foundation, which we will more often than not, fight against - even if our "comfortable" state or foundation is based on or in things that are not true & thus totally destructive. Interesting how we work, isn't it?
If we are going to choose the truth - of our roles or anything else, we are going to face opposition. That of our own unbelief & falsity-based habits, connections & traditions, as well as that of those around us. We often oppose truth, because we simply do not understand it, we do not know any better, & in that, we even fear. But that doesn't take away the consequences of it. If something hurts, listen. It's telling you something. Be willing to learn a better way, which will require of you... & again, be so, SO worth every bit of it. If, that is, you want better. The choice is, always has been & always will be, up to you.
Learn, Look To & Choose Truth: Being Courageous
In the blog post "...there is hope. Part 1", I wrote a bit about a movie called "Courageous", & shared this movies title song. If you haven't watched that movie or that music video by Casting Crowns, I invite you to go do it now.
Read the lyrics here.
That blog post specifically addressed being courageous, in regards to the role a man holds & the gift he is given & gives in choosing to arise, to learn & to choose to fulfill his role, in truth, in his family. However, being courageous is equally required for mom's - for anyone, especially husbands & wives, moms & dads individually & together, as we walk truly in these most sacred roles we hold - choosing to learn, to stand up & to choose the truth. It is a way of being & the decisions we make - in this world, in our own lives & within in our own hearts & minds, & within the roles we hold & fulfill in one another's lives.
The Truth about the Truth
The beautiful things about truth is this: The Truth will always bear itself out. So, if you are choosing truth & haven't faced opposition yet...just wait until you attempt to implement a new family standard into your home...especially if there was no real boundaries set & honored before! BUT, know it will pass. It is a "natural" first reaction to truth, when we have been walking in falsity. Kind of like holding your hand up to block the brilliant sunlight as you step up & out of dark pit. As we choose to hold to, continue to learn, grow & shine the truths we are learning & growing in, our families & loved ones will likewise be able to. Let us go in on such a great cause: Let us be courageous.
"Courage isn't a brilliant dash, A daring deed in a moment's flash; It isn't an instantaneous thing Born of despair with a sudden spring It isn't a creature of flickered hope Or the final tug at a slipping rope; But it's something deep in the soul of man That is working always to serve some plan...
...Courage was never designed for show; It isn't a thing that can come and go; It's written in victory and defeat And every trial a man may meet. It's part of his hours, his days and his years, Back of his smiles and behind his tears. Courage is more than a daring deed: It's the breath of life and a strong man's creed." Edgar A. Guest
