Somewhere in my college memories is the picture of a teacher or professor who opened his desk drawer and took a swig of Dr. Tichenor's before and after each class. It was a Southern Baptist college and I'm SURE the man thought he was just freshening his breath, but with the percentage of alcohol in that particular concoction it's pretty obvious he was looking for courage in that drawer. Maybe he taught so long with so few results that it took courage to teach one more class instead of running past the library barefoot toward Midlife Crisis or Retirement Beach. Or, maybe he was one of those introvert brainiacs who discovered too late his knowledge would only provide a living if he faced his worst fear of public speaking several times a day.
God's path for us takes us to scary places, but like the guy who takes his girlfriend to a scary movie, He wants us to move closer to Him. Don't move away from Him when you're too afraid to look; move in closer and absorb His courage or hide your face in His shoulder. He smiles every time you do.
"But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.'"
Matthew 14:27
"and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:20
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38
"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."
1 John 3:18
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