courageous

​ Beyond Evansing – Courage of the Irish Kingdom
 
Introduction
The sequel to Evansing – Heart of the Irish Kingdom has a special focus on Edwin the courageous leader. He has especially stretchy experiences that test his courage. We all have seasons when life is pushing us to keep going and face challenges head-on. During those times we may be tempted to put the covers over our head and stay in bed. Nevertheless, we got up and decided to face the world and do our best.  Being courageous means facing our fears of whatever form they come in. Edwin had to face a wide array of obstacles and difficulties that at times threaten to push him to despair. He chose to demonstrate courage.
 
Courageous
Edwin encounters situations way over his head requiring him to stay calm and encourage himself. One such circumstance especially tested him. This involved almost all his men including Percival disappearing without a trace. He only had several men remaining and had to make a tough decision under pressure to recover the missing men. He did manage to find the rest of his men and Percival. Unfortunately, that decision now led himself and his remaining men also into the same dark place as the others. Edwin had allowed pressure to cause him to make a hasty decision against his values. This happens to all of us where we experience a need to solve a problem and take an expedient course of action. Often a better solution existed if we had considered our options a little more closely.
 
Sometimes we will hear news other than how we would like it to be. Edwin had received encouraging news from a friend of Percival. But wait something was missing. What about Orla his daughter? There had been no comforting assuring news about her. Edwin struggled with keeping his calm about this disappointment. It required him to display the courageous leader within. Edwin’s choice to stay calm and focus on what needed to be done empowered him to be an effective team member in the pursuit of Orla’s rescue. When emotions run high and scary thoughts of worst-case scenarios bombard our minds, we need to ensure we make the right choices. It is never good to make an important decision when we are in a state of fear and anxiety. We all can relate to regretting those decisions we made in times of fear. Yet fear is a powerful trigger to decide on something. That is why car salesmen or realtors will ensure we know someone else is coming to look at the same car or house. They want us to know it won’t be available long and we may miss out.
 
Demonstrating courage when others do not can be a singular route for distinction and success. During the War of the Spanish Succession, the Duke of Marlborough demonstrated great courage as he continually looked for opportunities to engage the enemy. Conversely, most of the leaders of their allies wanted to mainly conduct a defensive war. Their motivation stemmed from fear of defeat. The Duke had to face many demoralizing situations where he wanted to go on the offensive but had to stand down because of overseeing leaders refusing to give him permission. In this case the Duke had to demonstrate courage not only on the battlefield but also in his relationships with his allies. By doing so he gained the opportunity to have his sought-after freedom on the battlefield. This led him to celebrate victory at the Battle of Blenheim which led to the defeat of the French and their allies.
 
When Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land, he undoubtedly felt the pressure of being in a difficult situation. The land they had been given contained fierce inhabitants in fortified cities and well-armed soldiers. The people he led were poorly armed and had little military training. Three times in the same passage he is commanded to be courageous and even very courageous. Along with that he is commanded to be strong and vigorous. This gives a clue how determining to be strong and vigorous helps to create an attitude leading to courage. We may not have someone commanding us to be strong, but we can command ourselves to be strong, vigorous and very courageous. Our minds, hearts and bodies respond to our words. As we feel new vigor and energy it fuels our capacity to face difficult tasks, situations and people. I have a close friend who says we don’t ask for an easy path; we ask for strong shoes. I like that. I often say something like this, “Lord, I ask you to give me strong shoes.”
 
Joshua was also commanded to be not afraid or dismayed (discouraged). Fear and negative thoughts will rob us of strength and courage. It is mandatory to refuse those kinds of thoughts. If we struggle to resist those thoughts, then we have another opportunity to use our words to snap out of it. For example, we could state something like this: “I renounce and reject all fear and anxiety. I choose to be cheerful, joyful and expectant of a good outcome.” Keep doing it until you get the release and start feeling calm again or at least calmer. Remember the power of choice. If you have chosen to fear you can also choose to reject fear and then choose courage. Recently, I got a revelation of being the President of my future. I have presidential authority to make choices to create the future I am meant to have.
 
Conclusion
Edwin had to demonstrate courage in circumstances where much was at stake. He didn’t always respond perfectly but he always recovered his ability to stay strong. May you increasingly recognize opportunities to act with courage and gain the fruits of success.

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