Courage That Counts
Getting a Grip on '92
Ron Clarkson
Illus.: I was gripped by a story reported on the news about two weeks ago. It's the kind of story that will be embedded in my mind for a long time. The news reported that a young man working by himself on a farm had both of his arms severed by a piece of farm machinery. Having both arms severed, he ran several hundred yards to the house, picked up a pencil with his mouth and dialed 911. He then went and waited in the bathroom for the paramedics to arrive. The doctor that reattached his arms was interviewed and was simply astounded by the courage that the young man displayed.
When I hear stories like that, stories of courage, something happens inside. We sometimes read courageous stories as a family. I remember the one my wife read in Reader's Digest about a mother in Florida who rescued her young son from the jaws of an alligator.
Whenever I hear of someone who demonstrates courage in their life instead of cowardliness, it just exhilarates me. I say to myself, "That's what I want to be like, I'd love to have more of that kind of courage in my life. I don't want to live life paralyzed by fear, I don't want to be handcuffed by anxiety. I don't want to cave in under circumstances. I want to be courageous, not a coward.
God wants the same thing for you. He doesn't want you immobilized by fear or groveling around. He knows there are too many cowards in this world and he doesn't want spineless people. He tells us in this verse:
2 Timothy 1:7
God says, "I have designated a spirit of power and courage for you. I don't want people cowering around. I have vested into my children the ability to be courageous, not timid. To have a spirit of competency and power and love. But as I think of these great stories, it is somewhat disappointing to think that the only time we hear about courage is when there is a "headline act of heroism." - when a fireman rescues a baby, when a Air force pilot risks his life ...
Getting a Grip on '92
Ron Clarkson
Illus.: I was gripped by a story reported on the news about two weeks ago. It's the kind of story that will be embedded in my mind for a long time. The news reported that a young man working by himself on a farm had both of his arms severed by a piece of farm machinery. Having both arms severed, he ran several hundred yards to the house, picked up a pencil with his mouth and dialed 911. He then went and waited in the bathroom for the paramedics to arrive. The doctor that reattached his arms was interviewed and was simply astounded by the courage that the young man displayed.
When I hear stories like that, stories of courage, something happens inside. We sometimes read courageous stories as a family. I remember the one my wife read in Reader's Digest about a mother in Florida who rescued her young son from the jaws of an alligator.
Whenever I hear of someone who demonstrates courage in their life instead of cowardliness, it just exhilarates me. I say to myself, "That's what I want to be like, I'd love to have more of that kind of courage in my life. I don't want to live life paralyzed by fear, I don't want to be handcuffed by anxiety. I don't want to cave in under circumstances. I want to be courageous, not a coward.
God wants the same thing for you. He doesn't want you immobilized by fear or groveling around. He knows there are too many cowards in this world and he doesn't want spineless people. He tells us in this verse:
2 Timothy 1:7
God says, "I have designated a spirit of power and courage for you. I don't want people cowering around. I have vested into my children the ability to be courageous, not timid. To have a spirit of competency and power and love. But as I think of these great stories, it is somewhat disappointing to think that the only time we hear about courage is when there is a "headline act of heroism." - when a fireman rescues a baby, when a Air force pilot risks his life ...
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