God’s Word Equals Courage

I love to watch movies, don’t you?  I not only watch them for the obvious entertaining element, but I also watch and search for hidden messages.  I am about to show my age, but a good movie, at least at that time was the Karate Kid.  You know the one with Pat Morita (Mr. Miyagi) and Ralph Macchio (Daniel), wax on, wax off (smile)?  This is a story of the weak conquering the strong.  I want you to focus on a dialog between Daniel and Mr. Miyagi during the last fight of the tournament.  It goes as follows:

Daniel:  It’s over Mr. Miyagi!  Let’s get out of here!  It’s over!
Mr. Miyagi:  DANIEL-SON!  DANIEL-SON!  It okay to lose to opponent, must not lose to fear!
Daniel:  Well, I’m afraid!  I’m afraid alright!
Mr. Miyagi: Aye! Aye! Aye!  Daniel-Son, your best Karate still inside! Now time let out!

This dialogue took place after continuous and brutal blows delivered from Daniel’s opponent.  Daniel was unable to defend.  He was unable to counter attack.  The pain began to compile.  He was no longer able to remain focus and the courage he entered the tournament with has transformed into fear.

It is similar events that plague both believers and non-believers today.  Life’s circumstances cause us to lose focus.  We are hit with trial after trial, tribulation after tribulation.  We take one step forward only to move five steps back.  People are losing their jobs, their homes, their savings, and it hurts.  The media continues to remind everyone of their circumstance and now fear has developed.  People no longer want to fight.  They do not want to continue.  They just want to give up and whatever happens,  happens.  They say “it’s over.  Let’s get out of here!”

Do not let what you see with your natural eyes determine your outcome.  Do not allow the fear that is mounting up via the media cause you to lose focus.  There is a God in heaven whose word speaks contrary to what the media dishes out.  His word states that we must be strong and courageous for He goes where we go, and He will never leave us or forsake us (Deut 31:6).  We need not worry what the world throws at us because we have an advocate in He who overcame the world (Jn 16:33, 1Jn 5:4-5, Rom 8:31).  We need not focus on our inability, but focus on God’s ability to address all of our concerns.  I encourage you to study God’s word.  Meditate on His promises.  Apply it to your life and see how it is false reporting that the media is dishing out.  Mr. Miyagi told Daniel that his best Karate is still inside and that it was time to let it out.  You have a Spirit that is in you that you have allowed it to be stifled because of fear.  The word of God states “God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” (Eph 3:21)  It is time to tap into that power and let it work for us.  Be encouraged,  Amen!