What does it take to have courage under fire? When fear is consuming you and you don’t know how to move forward, how do you find the strength to keep going? My father was a pilot in Vietnam and flew Chinook helicopters in and out of the face of danger, dropping off or picking up supplies and soldiers. Over the course of the year he was there, he was shot down four times and fired upon too many times to count. I asked him once how he found the strength and the courage to keep fighting under such conditions and he said he just kept pressing on and didn’t stop to think about the reality of what was really happening around him. While to me it seemed too difficult to not pay attention to the fire surrounding him, I could somehow relate.
Since I was injured my every move has to be thought out in order for it to be executed. I can’t just jump up and go do something like I did before, now I have to ask someone to help me first. Early on I realized that if I gave into the fear of the unknown about being paralyzed the more power I would feed it. If I stopped and focused on the negative and the fiery darts coming at me, then not only was I physically paralyzed, but I was also emotionally paralyzed with fear. Zeroing in on the ‘why me, the why can’t I move’, and the fact that I had to have help only kept me from me living my best life under the circumstances. Whether you choose to keep participating in it or not, life will keep going on without you. As I sat in the corner watching it pass me by, I finally decided that I just needed to stop focusing on what I can’t do and focus on what I can do. When you look at it with a new set of eyes and focus on the positive instead of the negative you begin to get your power back and begin having courage instead of fear. For years everyday, with Gods strength, He helped me to pay attention to the positive things instead of the negative. The more I practiced at allowing my thinking to change, eventually the new habit became a way of life.
Whatever you are facing may not be something as traumatic as being injured in a car accident or fighting in war, but if you stop and take a deep breath and focus on your situation with a new set of eyes you’ll find a new perspective. When you’re under fire of any kind, don’t allow the fear to keep you from moving forward. Romans 8: 28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” God can help us concentrate on what good can come from every situation if we allow Him. Get a new starting point and begin living for the treasured things in your life instead of putting too much importance on what’s not. We all can have courage under fire to stand up and be brave! God will give you the strength you need to press on!!!
Leave a Reply