The Call for Courage

I love the word courage. There is just something about it that makes my heart stir. There is something deep inside of me that wants to be tough, strong, and brave. I doubt I will ever be remembered for my ability to be soft, and meek; I am afraid there is too much fire in my soul for that. Ahhh... the fire. My faith is as a fire in my soul. It is a fire that drives me on, and keeps me fighting.

I often wonder who I really am... who was I before I came to earth? What was my role there, as I stood in the presence of my Heavenly Father? Why do I feel such a desire to fight for Him, and His work? Where does my courage come from? What is this ancient, timeless, fire in my soul that tells me to carry on? I feel I have always done so -- carried on with courage -- throughout my immortal and mortal life thus far, and I am determined even now that brighter days are ahead. Who is this warrior inside of me who clings to courage, despite the fear which tempts me to despair? Courage, yes, courage... I think I may have clung to you, long before I came to earth. I feel, somehow, that you have been my constant companion from the very beginning of my journey.

Courage.

What is courage? 

Courage means: the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery. 

When I think of courage I often picture a soldier, or a fighter. Though most of us may never be called upon to fight in the kind of war that requires armor, and manmade weapons; there is another kind of war that we do fight, and that is the battle of the spirit. There is a battle we fight constantly, for our eternal potential, and divine destiny. The world would derail our efforts of righteousness, and cause us to fall. But we need to fight! We need to be strong enough to withstand the efforts to thwart our path to return to our Heavenly Father. We need to cling to courage, not cling to cowardice.

We are fighting for our eternal lives, every single day. It is a battle, to be sure.

As President Monson has declared: "Decisions do determine destiny."  

When I chose my blog name, "Cling to Courage," it was not just because of the current circumstances that I face as a widow. I do have to cling to courage, and face my future with strength and hope -- despite the added challenges that have become mine to endure. However, I feel strongly that sooner than later, we will all be called upon to unfurl our banners of strength and might, and have a great need to embrace courage. I believe we will all be called upon to defend our faith, and all that we hold dear. I believe a time is coming that will require courage to stand up for what we believe; we will not be able to just watch as others stand and fight for our faith, as we safely look on at a comfortable distance. The time is growing closer when we will have to respond to the question: Who's on the Lord's side, who? 

We will have to stand despite the opposition, and we will have to be willing to face the fire required of those with faith. We will have to be brave enough to be immovable when the forces of the world descend, and try to drag us down. The world is in commotion; I can feel an ever increasing speed at which the signs of the times are being broadcast before our eyes. Not all of the signs are bad, some are wonderful and amazing; such as the rate at which family history work is being completed. But the reality is time seems to be speeding up -- at least it is for me -- and I am ever hopeful that maybe, just maybe, I might get to be around when Jesus comes back. I would sure love that! With Jesus would come Charles, what a glorious day!

I find it no coincidence that this month's message from the prophet is about courage. April 1st was the one year mark of Charles' death. It was a tender mercy to find the words of the prophet speaking on my favorite topic this month, to celebrate the anniversary of my becoming a widow. To read the message from the prophet click: HERE.

President Monson said:

"What does it mean to endure? I love this definition: to withstand with courage. Courage may be necessary for you to believe; it will at times be necessary as you obey. It will most certainly be required as you endure until that day when you will leave this mortal existence." 

"May we ever be courageous and prepared to stand for what we believe, and if we must stand alone in the process, may we do so courageously, strengthened by the knowledge that in reality we are never alone when we stand with our Father in Heaven." 

"The call for courage comes constantly to each of us," he said, "It has ever been so, and so shall it ever be." 

I love the prophet.

My hope is that when you are called to face the fire of your faith; you will not cower in a corner, but conquer with courage. Life is full of challenges that can either break us, or make us. There are big life-altering tragedies, and small frustrating disruptions, on our quest for happiness in this life, and the next. The choice is ours which way we will bend: upwards with hope towards Heaven, or downward towards despair and discouragement. (Notice the word dis-courage-ment. It means to have lost hope, or confidence. The opposite of courage.)

We do not get to choose what happens to us, but we can choose how we will respond.

Respond with courage!

Cling to courage, with all of your heart.

No matter what.