Every day in our lives requires great courage to truly LIVE IT instead of just sailing through it by ignoring what is truly happening or by escaping from the unpleasant through grabbing our Smart Phones or some handy alcohol.
Because, like that soldier on the battlefield, we have our own enemies. Like that climber on Mt. Everest, we endure buffeting winds that try to hurl us into an abyss. These enemies lurk inside us, in our own psyches, trying to distort reality so we'll falter and fall.
Fear attacks us, telling us there's no sense in trying because nothing will ever change.
Self-interest tells us to stay huddled in our own corner and protect our own instead of caring about anyone else.
Anger and self-pity push us to lash out at everyone around us.
Grief sends our spirits spiraling downward into dark isolation.
Poor self-esteem whispers that we're worthless and we don't matter to anyone and we can never make a difference anyway.
But - God is the steady, strong Heart of our Courage, if we trust in God. God is our ever-present Help, Who never forsakes us even if our father, mother, spouse, friend, or child does. The Lord is our Light and our Life's refuge, and before that penetrating Light, our interior enemies stumble and fall, are rendered void and meaningless. The Lord our Courage carries us back to reality, into the Land of the Living so we can discover our courageous True Selves: we're ready to believe that Change can come into our lives, ready to love and sacrifice for a worthy cause, ready to be merciful and forgive, ready to believe in and use the gifts God has given us.
God our Courage ALWAYS will wake us in the morning and give us the strength to get up and find His daily mercies and joys waiting for us.
"But I believe I shall enjoy the Lord's goodness in the Land of the Living. Wait for the Lord, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the Lord." (Psalm 27: 13 and 14)
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