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COURAGE WILL FOLLOW WHEN FAITH TAKES THE LEAD

  • Published
  • By Chaplain (Maj.) Craig Abee
  • 315th Airlift Wing
Aviator Eddie Rickenbacher once said, "Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared."

Isn't that so true? When we are facing a frightening situation in or personal lives, our career, in flight, or, for many here, in combat, we must somehow generate the courage to endure.

There's much in the world to be afraid of--terrorists, natural disasters, credit card debt, losing a job, cancer, AIDS, Alzheimer's, swine flu, death. Somehow, the darkness of terror and suffering feels fairly constant these days.
Yet I come to you to tell you that when fear knocks on our door, it's time for faith to answer!

If you are Christian, you may be familiar with the story in the gospel of Mark, wherein the disciples, in that great storm at sea, were overcome by fear and cried out for Jesus to save them, Jesus first stilled the wind, and then asked his disciples: "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" (Mark 4:40)

Yes, fear -- which arises ever so naturally within us amidst all the storms of life -- fear is to be faced with faith -- in God and friends and family who surround us and encourage us.

We humans are vulnerable to so very many things--to attack, to natural disaster, to personal loss, to illness and suffering. And that vulnerability can never be erased. It will always be with us. But the fear that takes root in this vulnerability can be overcome through faith and trust in the God as mentioned in the Old Testament book of Isaiah: "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you."

Another aviator, Charles Lindberg, talked about being scared and having courage and fear. He said, "Is he alone who has courage on his right hand and faith on his left hand?" That's a good combination - courage on the right hand, faith on the left. With it, when fear knocks, whether in the midst of personal, job, medical, or military crisis, faith can answer.

Thank you for your time. You are always in my prayers. God Bless you and your families.