The only true remedy for discouragement is to put our hope in God. He alone can give us the courage to persevere.
From Romans 8:28: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.”
Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.
From Romans 5:3-5: “And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”
In the United States, the “Pledge of Allegiance” has been recited countless times in school classrooms, at the beginning of meetings, sporting events, and other instances. The original 29 words were inspired by the writings of Francis Bellamy (from 1892) and became official in 1923. In 1954, the words, “under God” were added. These 31 words mean much more than just a mere collection of words.
We the People, commit to stand
With loyalty across this land
Stars and Stripes shall forever fly
Old Glory standing proud and high
Solidarity, stand as One
United, never be undone
A more perfect Union shall spring
Shining democracy will ring
Tested, resilient, and upright
Faithful courage, nation’s birthright
Built upon God’s eternal love
Divine guidance comes from above
Inseparable and lasting
Forged by trial and fire’s casting
Covering this land of the free
Freedom from sea to shining sea
Conquers inequities with care
Truth and righteousness come to bear
I have posted this video before, but it is worth a second look. Here is American comedian, Red Skelton, sharing his interpretation of the words’ meaning in the “Pledge of Allegiance.”
We are Americans first, Americans last, and Americans always.
We are taught to understand, correctly, that courage is not the absence of fear, but the capacity for action despite our fears.
In December, 1989, the Romanian Revolution ignited with passion which would no longer wait in silence. The rest of the Eastern Bloc countries under Soviet influence had already experienced peaceful change from communist dictatorships. Under Nicolae Ceausescu’s harsh leadership, Romania was the final holdout as the democratic wave of freedom blitzed across Eastern Europe. This poem shares some of this revolution’s story.
Ruthless, authoritarian rule controls the cards
Harsh, brutal regime crushes dissenting voices
Quietness hides the remaining, burning embers
Daily life conceals wounds, offering few choices
Citizens endure lack of even the basic needs
Challenging days, facing endless heartbreak
Darkest days of winter, hunger and little heat
Voices stifled, experiencing numbing heartache
Freedom routed, plummeting to rock bottom
System of repression forcefully controls lives
Defiant opposition, beaten down to nothing
Dictator’s untruths cover up with empty lies
Scattering of small voices continues to speak out
Smoldering protests fueled with hungry passion
Government crackdowns to silence any dissent
Voices growing bolder, backed with compassion
Massive protests ignite courage in a distant city
“Timisoara” becomes a rallying cry for liberation
Unexpectedly, dark and evil house of cards folds
Season of change witnesses rebirth of a nation
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
A nation that fails to honor its heroes, soon will have no heroes to honor.
Aim for the chopping block. If you aim for the wood, you have nothing. Aim past the wood, aim through the wood; aim for the chopping block.
You can’t test courage cautiously.
Courage faces fear and thereby masters it. Cowardice represses fear and is thereby mastered by it.
From Mark 5:35-36: “While He was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?’ But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.'”
When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you are slamming the door in the face of God.
From John 16:32-33: “The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”
Photo by David Bortnik on Pexels.com
From Matthew 14:25-27: “And early in the morning He came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'”
Following God’s commandments
Delivering steadfast courage
Building up one’s faith and trust
Go sends us forth, encouraged
Imagine walking each day
With Biblical superstars
Amazing stories with truth
God waiting near, not too far
Israel cries out in Egypt
God hears their anguish and pain
Moses’ courage answers prayers
Pharaoh’s heart, forever slain
God commissions a leader
Joshua destined to lead
His faith in God carries strength
His plan and vision succeeds
Daniel faces certain death
Overcoming his demise
God foils lions’ hunger
Courage arrives in disguise
Christ completes His final task
A Cross marks defeat, they say
His living breath creates light
Salvation, lives from that day
Boldness, defined by our Lord
Confronting uncertain pain
Faithful and steadfast courage
God’s love, never will abstain
Photo by Peter on Pexels.com
From American film actress, Dorothy Bernard: “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.”
Big Sky Buckeye 