Fellow Corona Virus Navigator,
I was born on “Ground Hog Day” — February 2d. Watching “Ground Hog Day” with Bill Murray has become a birthday tradition. Those familiar with the movie will know that a news reporter relives the same Ground Hog Day every day. While the movie is funny, it highlights the frustration that can come from “being stuck” in a certain place, a certain time. During this “season of viral illness and death, quarantine, economic collapse, and social distancing;” millions across our nation (and perhaps you and I) feel “stuck in time” as they weather the storm in quarantine — day after day after day. As well, millions are “stuck in fear,” understandably as the virus death toll mounts and the economic impacts deepen. Regrettably, this is not a video game — this is a very real national and international life and death struggle. None of us is immune– all of us are in the crucible. The only thing we can control is how we respond.
Last week’s blog “With Height Comes Perspective” addressed key areas such as gaining spiritual altitude to gain perspective, acknowledging the reality of fear, focusing on faith as an antidote to fear, and recognizing that FEAR + FAITH = COURAGE. One of our key observations was that WORSHIP is our weapon to allow faith to arise and fear to diminish. In this context, we emphasized that a FOCUS on the greatness of God assists our effort to gain altitude, to look up beyond the waves crashing around us.
This week our blog will dive deeper into this thing called COURAGE, the priceless quality of being able to stare down fear through the power of faith.
As with last week, my prayer for all of us is that we discover the silver lining of the current “pause” in which we find ourselves, pressing into God and the issues of life that are truly important. As we press into God, may faith increase and fears diminish, resulting in real and lasting COURAGE that sustains us and inspires others.
Respectfully in Christ,
Bob
PS- As a reminder, our Resilience God Style Newsletters website page has an archive of all past RGS newsletter content for your future reference, or for you to share with others.
PPS- In Resilience Resources I highlight the RGS Training Game again — a fun activity with a purpose while you “shelter at home.”
Gaining Altitude
Regrettably, this is not a video game —
this is a very real national and international life and death struggle.
None of us is immune — all of us are in the crucible.
The only thing we can control is how we respond.
Draw From Your Well of Courage
“At intervals between a bomb falling it sounded like church:
voices from nearby slit trenches all chanting the Lord’s prayer together
– over and over again. Louder when the bombs hit closer.”
~Veteran Army Air Force Bombadier and Olympic Runner Louie Zamperini,
recounting the Japanese bombardment of U.S. forces,
as recorded in Unbroken by Lauren Hildenbrand.
COURAGE is not the absence of fear, rather the ability to move through fear to do what is right and brave. These men in foxholes drew courage as they exercised faith, as they prayed, as they turned their fears over to their Father in Heaven. As we have discussed, FEAR + FAITH = COURAGE. So let’s dive deeper into “courage,” and see where it fits in these crazy days of Corona Virus tribulation.
In World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt reminded the nation “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself.” His First Lady Eleanor defined courage as “staring down fear.” Many a combat veteran will tell you that “courage is holding on ten seconds longer, then another, and another.” The root word for courage in Latin is “cor,” meaning heart. In essence, courage is motivated from the heart to do something brave and purposeful, despite the presence of potentially overwhelming fear. Finally, while we think of physical courage such as charging an enemy machinegun nest, there are other dimensions of courage. Collectively, there is physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, and relational courage. Resilient Leaders discusses these dimensions of courage in far greater detail, all of them requiring “staring down fear” through the power of faith. Certainly, the current Corona Virus challenges us across every dimension of courage.
Now, let me explain where courage fits into the resilience equation. We all have a “Well of Courage” that is constantly being filled or depleted. An encouraging word from someone might add to it while a sleepless night might reduce it. Observing a courageous act by another would be a positive while rejection by a respected person could diminish your well of courage. Reading a Medal of Honor Citation or reading stories of courage from the Bible serves to refill your well, or an inspiring move, or heart grabbing music. A famous Army General Dick Cavazos once said “Careful you don’t dip too deeply into your well of courage.” Each of us must be wise to make physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, and relational deposits into our well of courage so that we will have resources to draw upon when fear raises its ugly head, when the waves start to come over the side of the boat.
A key element of “Weathering the Storm” (DURING phase of the Resilience Life Cycle) is to “Draw from Your Well of Courage.” Prayerfully, when all us have to dig deep (such as now!), we don’t come up empty handed. Here are some suggestions:
- Remember God’s Provision For You In The Past, when he gave you strength and courage to stare down fear, when you were able to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, when you were able to have a tough discussion to resolve a relational challenge. REMEMBER God’s provision in the past, just as the Warrior David was able to face Goliath as he remembered how God had allowed him to defeat a lion and a bear in his earlier years.
- Draw Courage From Others in the Bible. Hebrews 11 reminds us of inspiring characters of courage and faith, such as Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, David and many others – a veritable hall of fame of courageous heroes. From Hebrews 11:37-39,
They were stoned, they were sawn in two, [a]they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised
Yes, others before us have stared down fears equal to the challenges of Corona virus and our economic downturn. Hebrews 12:1-3 continues this parade of courage by highlighting Jesus,
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Now that is FAITH and COURAGE! That is RESILIENCE – GOD STYLE!
- Draw Courage from Examples around You. You may draw courage from an elderly person who confronts the frailty of aging with dignity and grace. Or perhaps a noble figure such as “Let’s Roll” Todd Beamon who gave his life on Flight 93 to spare many others from the terrorists on September 11, 2001. Or, if you really get hard-pressed to find a good Profile in Courage, just go to Medal of Honor Citations such as this one with Medal of Honor Recipient Gary Beikirch. Or go to Profiles in Resilience on the Resilience God Style website.
- Refill Your Well of Courage with Inspiration and Encouragement. We are all different, but we are all have tap roots that feed on the particular things that nourish us, that light our fire, that bring a tear to our eye, and ultimately help us “keep on keeping on.” For me, it is content like: Lean on Me song and movie about a New Jersey high school which went from drug infested to a high performing team of underdogs, or the Rudy Rudiger story about a Notre Dame walk-on who tenacity has inspired millions to this day, or the book and movie Unbroken about Olympic runner and WWII POW Louis Zamperini who overcame bitterness to achieve freedom. You no doubt have your own examples. And of course, the many Christian songs that allow faith and courage to rise, and fear to diminish. My current favorite is Waymaker – promise keeper, miracle worker, light in the darkness, my God, that is who you are!
Now for the application phase. I encourage YOU to think about what refills your well of courage. Work hard to take in the right “living waters” so that your well is brimming with courage and expectation. Apply some of the suggestions above. You may or may not be digging deep at this moment, but predictably during this national crisis we all will need to “Draw from our Well of Courage.” This is a key element for “Weathering the Storms of Life,” both now and in the future.
As Jesus said,
“In the world we will have tribulation,
But take COURAGE, I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33)
Respectfully in Christ,
Bob
How can YOU refill your Well of Courage NOW?
How can you help others do the same?
Bounce Builder
Back by popular demand — Here’s a Resilience God Style Training Game Question that will help us navigate the challenges of Corona Virus and beyond:
Suggested Answer: Maintain your sleep habits (this is often hard), your exercise (perhaps even more vigorously to alleviate stress), your healthy eating (don’t get sidetracked with too many comfort foods), your spiritual disciplines (devotions, Bible reading, praise and prayer), and your interaction with others (recognizing it may be more difficult – particularly with CV “social distancing”).
I would add — Don’t get taken hostage by the 24 hour news cycle that is wall to wall gloom and doom about CV, Economy, et al. Ration your intake of news to select times. You don’t have to watch every Corona Virus TF press briefing! Let’s all make sure our time marinating with our Lord exceeds our time soaking in news, and discouragement, and fear.
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From the Mailbox
“Greetings in the love of Jesus! We purchased some of your material to review thinking we could use it with our Men’s Groups. But with the coronavirus restrictions here in CT the only way we could use it is if we had our men meet through zoom on the internet. I have the DVD but what would you suggest we do? I actually think this study is EXACTLY what our men (and frankly our whole congregation) could use right now. Thanks in advance for any advice. We are praying for you and so thankful that God directed you to create this study. How perfect it is for the church worldwide in these challenging days.”
~ Pastor from CT
Note from Bob — I passed along that the Resilience God Style video series is also available on Right Now Media for individual or group viewing. As well, other groups are meeting virtually (to include viewing videos such as the RGS series using the “share screen function”) using Zoom or other virtual meeting platforms.
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