Gratitude and Courage

January 2, 2018

The Scriptures never grow old, and we never outgrow them. They are simple enough for the young, and profound enough for the ablest scholar. In Acts 27, Paul had been shipwrecked, and found himself on an uncharted island along with the crew and passengers. The inhabitants made a bonfire for them because it was cold and raining. As Paul was gathering some sticks for the fire, a poisonous snake, not appreciating having been aroused from its slumber and tossed into a fire, bit Paul on the hand. They were stranded there for three months before the weather permitted them to continue to their destination. When they arrived, some Christian brothers came to meet them and escort him into the city.

That his journey to Rome didn’t go quite as planned is clear. His detour wasn’t just a bridge out or a chariot breakdown. It was a storm so violent that it sank the ship he was on, forcing them to swim for their lives. Then the snake bite, and three months of sitting around waiting for the weather to break. On top of all that, he had more than his share of enemies who were literally out for blood. His trip to Rome was as a prisoner, and never having been to Rome before, he had no way of knowing what kind of reception he would receive. I can imagine how relieved he was when he was greeted by Christian brothers. Acts 28:15 says when he saw them, “he thanked God and took courage.” 

It’s an interesting phrase. It tells us that though Paul was no shrinking violet, there were times when even his courage failed him. People sometimes imagine that courage means fearless. I don’t think so. I think courage is pushing forward through our fears, not in their absence. How can it be courage if there is no recognition of the danger? It takes no courage to face combat in a video or paintball game. It is quite another thing to face the real thing. 

This snippet of Scripture tells us that there is a connection between gratitude and courage; the latter is a byproduct of the former. The reason for this is clear: for the Christian, gratitude is given to God. When my focus is on God and my gratitude to him for his protection, guidance, and provision, courage is almost a natural byproduct. Our courage fails when our attention is on the problem or the danger. When I keep my eyes on God, the danger doesn’t disappear, but it recedes to its proper place behind God who is our shield and protector. Looking everywhere for things for which to give thanks not only changes our attitude towards life; it also builds courage for those times when danger surrounds us.