April 30 – Courage -- Don't be Afraid

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Matthew 14:27

Courage is the God given strength to face any situation or trial. It is the capability to react, knowing that God is in control and will work in and through me. He is greater than anything I could ever face—greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4.

In the scripture passage above from Matthew, Jesus was walking on stormy waters of the Sea of Galilee in the middle of the night, calling to His disciples not to be afraid (verse 26 says they were terrified). Can you imagine how frightened you would have been to see someone walking on stormy water in the dark?

Jesus said, “Take courage.” That is what He tells us, too. Don’t be afraid of the circumstances around you—of what you see or don’t see that you don’t understand. Jesus is always with us. He has promised us that He will never leave us or forsake us…Hebrews 13:5.  

Training Tip – Read to your family the story of Jesus walking on the water. Take them to a lake, pond or pool and try to walk on water. Put on life vests and make it a safe fun event. Pray the prayer below and have them know that Jesus wants us to be courageous, even if we can’t walk on water like He did.   

Lord God, do not let anything separate my child or grandchild _____ from your love. When faced with tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, sword or deep water let ______ remember that in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35, 37-39) Like you said, Lord, we will take courage.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.