by Judy Wright

“I remember nothing,” she told me. “The only things I know about my accident are the things that my family has told me.”

I met Mary as she was taking off the harness at the base of the Zip Line at the camp for the blind in Sunset Lake, Washington. The Zip Line is a recreational option for the adventurous. It makes you feel like you just did a parachute jump without the parachute.On a hill to the left of where we stood was a tall tree. Mary had climbed the steps to a wooden platform attached to the tree, about 20-30 feet above ground. There camp staff helped her put on the harness. The harness attached to an overhead cable with a pulley, a little bit like a ski lift in miniature.

Then Mary jumped off the platform and rode the Zip Line out across the valley below. The momentum of the jump carried her to the far side of the valley; then back and forth a few times until she slowly came to rest at the low point of the cable in the center.

Mary loved the Zip Line! “My family tells me I was quite athletic before my accident,” she said. Then she continued to tell me her story as we walked together to the edge of the field. “I have been told that I was married, and that my husband and I were just leaving a restaurant in New Jersey. We were victims of a drive-by shooting. My husband was killed. I was shot in the head, and that’s when I lost my eyesight completely, as well as my memory of all of my life until I woke up in the hospital.”

Still a young woman, Mary refused to waste time in self pity. She didn’t hide in her home to avoid future accidents. She didn’t spend her life mourning over her lost past. Mary went forward eagerly to build a new life for herself, and she even sought out adventures. She was upbeat, cheerful, and yes, courageous.

The Bible says a lot about courage. In the book of Joshua, chapter one, you can find the story of the Lord’s personal message to Joshua. Moses had died, and Joshua had been chosen to be his successor. Now the Lord Himself comes to Joshua with a message.

If you read the chapter carefully, you will find three separate, specific commands. (1) Go over Jordan. (2) Meditate on the words of Scripture and follow what is written there. (3) Be of good courage. The Lord repeats this third command three times: in verse 6—“Be strong and of good courage”; verse 7–“Only be strong and very courageous”; and verse 9—“Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed.” God wanted to be sure Joshua heard this important command.

Then when Joshua announced plans to go forward immediately to the Promised Land, the people of Israel, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, repeated the command a fourth time, in verse 18: “Only be strong and of good courage!”

I’ve sometimes wondered about Joshua. Was he naturally timid? Or was he reasonably brave, but facing a particularly terrifying task? After all, the 12 spies had found giants in the land, and walled cities, and enemies on every side. Joshua had a difficult job to do.

There are several Christian duties that Christians consider important obligations, but which are based on only a few Scriptural commands. If you’re looking for a direct command to pay tithe, you’ll have a hard time finding more than Malachi 3:10. If you want a direct command to attend public worship, you can find one in Hebrews 10:25. Of course, these two Bible truths are at least implied in other passages, but I’m talking about direct commands.

By contrast, take a complete concordance and check how many direct commands there are to “Be courageous,” “Be of good cheer,” “Be not afraid,” “Fear not,” “Be not anxious.” You can find dozens of them!

Think of the Bible examples of angels appearing to men and women to bring them a personal message from heaven. What does the angel usually say first? “Don’t be afraid!” Apparently courage is very important in God’s estimation, yet many overlook it, whimpering and trembling along life’s pathway.

When I was in high school, my history teacher would regularly greet students with the question, “How is your courage today?” It’s a most important question.

So what giants are you facing today? Perhaps you have some physical disability that slows you down. You may have financial struggles. You may face special difficulties in your marriage or family. You may be unemployed, ill, or lonely. But how is your courage today?

Learn the lesson of Joshua. In every challenge in life, the God of heaven offers this most important command: “Be of good courage!” When he commands it, He offers all the strength you need to do it!

Judy Wright is a freelance writer who recently moved from the Fingerlakes area of New York state to Gainesville, Florida.