Finding Courage

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of
the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.

Psalm 27:13–14 nasb

Pause

Carole Lewis had many reasons to despair. First, she and her husband suffered bankruptcy. Then her youngest daughter was killed by a drunk driver and left three little girls motherless. Hurricane Ike followed, destroying her home and earthly possessions. Then her husband died, and her son-in-law passed shortly afterward.

Carole faced one crisis after another without losing hope. She clung to God for strength and trusted him with confident expectation to come through for her. Psalm 27:13–14 became part of the fabric of her life, and courage became her trademark.

Courage can become our trademark, too. The key lies in believing God is sovereign and that he will redeem tragedy for good. Our role is to trust that he truly will do it and to wait for him to act even though it might take longer than we wish. He will never disappoint.

Ponder

What truth about who God is brings courage as you wait for him to redeem tragedy?

Pray

Lord, make courage my trademark. Give me patience to wait for you to bring good from the challenge I face today.