I Am Regathering My Courage
The day before He was crucified, Jesus taught His disciples. He ate with them and prepared them for what would soon be happening—His trial and crucifixion. The disciples were confused. They didn’t understand what Jesus was saying to them. But Jesus knew that they would understand eventually, once they had gone through what He knew was coming.
In John 16, we see Jesus’ disciples marveling at how much more He knows and understands than they do.
Jesus said to them, “I have told you these things so that you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Do you know what “take heart” means? Years ago I read a commentary that described it this way: regather your courage. When I read this interpretation of the phrase, I got a clear, entertaining picture in my mind of courage as this giant wobbly blob, like Jello, and I’m standing there, trying desperately to hang on to it while it slips through my hands. I think in recent days, this has been my experience with courage. I have grasped it shakily in weak hands at times, only to inevitably watch it slurp its way to the ground once more.
But it isn’t like it surprises God when I lose my courage. There’s a reason he reminds us well over 300 times in scripture not to be afraid. He knows that this is who we are. We are fearful. We’re weak. But this is a precious truth of our God: His mercies are new every day, and He’s patient. Over and over again, He helps us regather that courage.
As a new year is only days away, many of us may feel that it is looming ahead. What will 2024 bring? How many difficult things lie on the horizon as the calendar turns over once again? Only God knows what He will use this year to bring us closer to Him. Only He knows how many enormous blessings and how many heartaches are heading our way this year. It takes strength and courage to stand on one side of a mountain, ready to journey to things we can’t see on the other side. So, how do we tackle a new year when we aren’t sure what it holds? Only by God’s grace and with His strength.
God clearly tells us in Scripture that trouble is inevitable. This world is a troubled place. But look at that verse from John 16 one more time. He says He taught His followers that when the hard times come, they will still have peace. Our level of assurance and peace and joy doesn’t have to shift with every life circumstance. Jesus has put all of the tools in our hands and our hearts to live in peace, with courage, no matter what comes.
As a new year dawns, I’m reminded of how He has to show me these things again and again. He gives me reassurance of His promises (again). He speaks to me through His word (again). He ministers to my shaky spirit in perfectly personal ways (again). I feel Him near. I know His patient love. And so I scoop up it up once more: I am regathering my courage.