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Courage. Some have it, and some don’t. Are courageous people simply born with more of it than others? Is courage part of an individual’s personality…or can anyone develop courage with a little practice?
Charles Spurgeon, one of the boldest preachers to ever live, knew exactly where courage came from.
When he was a young boy, Charles was heavily influenced by his grandfather, James Spurgeon, an influential preacher in England. The two would spend hour after hour reading and talking and praying with one another. On one occasion, the younger Spurgeon learned that his grandfather was grieved over a friend who’d begun to backslide in his faith. Thomas Roads, a member of the church the elder Spurgeon pastored, was frequenting taverns to drink and smoke.
Charles, still just a young boy, knew what he had to do. He marched down to the local pub where he knew Mr. Roads could be found and confronted the man about his lifestyle. Years later, and still walking in obedient faith to Jesus, Thomas Roads had this to say about the encounter:
To think an old man like me should be took to task…by a bit of a child like that! Well, he points at me, with his fingers just so, and says, “What doest thou here, Elijah? Sitting with the ungodly; and you a member of a church, and breaking your pastor’s heart. I’m ashamed of you! I wouldn’t break my pastor’s heart, I’m sure.” And then he walks away….
I knew it was all true, and I was guilty; so I put down my pipe, and did not touch my beer, but hurried away to a lonely spot, and cast myself down before the Lord, confessing my sin and begging for forgiveness.
Now we know how the “Prince of Preachers” – what the little Spurgeon would be called when he grew up – could endure such difficult seasons in ministry and the vicious attacks of those outside and inside the church. He’d been practicing courage all his life!
Spurgeon isn’t the only one who began practicing courage at an early age. When asked by Saul how he thought he could defeat a giant named Goliath, a young shepherd named David told his king he’d already killed lions and bears that’d threatened his sheep. When Daniel and his three friends were taken captive at an early age, they were willing to defy the most powerful man on earth, King Nebuchadnezzar, to remain faithful to God. Esther, the young Jewish queen, showed courage by confronting a cruel king in a foreign land.
According to their lives, and many more, anyone can be courageous…if they’re willing to practice.
