Courageous Leadership

Bishop Dee Jay Shoulders

I feel led to share somethings on what I call Courageous Leadership. In the end times the Church must be led through some dangerous places and for sure that will take some courageous leadership to see this come to pass.

God spoke to Joshua in Chapter 1 vs 9 and said: Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Courageous simply describes a person possessing courage. Courage in the Bible is a quality that is the opposite of fear and is considered an essential characteristic for believers. It is defined as a God-given strength of soul that allows people to do what is right and necessary, even in the face of danger or difficulty. Courage is also a willingness to act in obedience to God's calling and purposes, relying on His guidance and strength. Martin Luther King Jr. said: "We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear." Nelson Mandela said: "I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

Since the Word is true we know that certain things will transpire in the last days. One of them Jesus told is would be that men’s hearts would fail them for fear. With that being said the last days leader will be required to possess some courageous faith in order to not only make it themselves but also to be able to lead those who will need guidance as we navigate the choppy waters of the last days.

The Apostle Paul had a discerning heart. In writing to the early Christians at Ephesus, he knew he had to prepare them for unprecedented hardship. But first he longed to encourage and comfort them, so he reminded them of the Lord’s strength. He said it this was in Ephesians 6:10: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might"

It is as if he were thinking, some of my dear friends must be quaking in their boots to see their enemies so strong and themselves so weak, so numerous while they are so few, so well equipped and expert at arms while they are just raw recruits. He must have known a fear -wracked should is too preoccupied with its present distress to listen to advice from anyone, even a well-meaning friend. Fear immobilizes its victim-like the distraught solider who runs trembling to his foxhole at first rumor of an attack and refuses to come out until all threat of danger is past. So Paul searches for an antidote to their fear and soon finds one. It is a timeless answer to the disabling condition suffered by every Christian since Adam. He tells us, “Don’t let you fears overwhelm you. March on with undaunted courage and be strong in the Lord."

And here is the great consolation, the outcome of the battle rests on God’s performance, not on your skill or strength. Surely, every trembling soul will breathe a sigh of relief to hear this comforting news. Now the believer can concentrate on the task at hand, which is to ‘be strong’. 

Isaiah 35:4 says, Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. In other words, Marshal at the powers of your soul and muster up your whole force, for you will need all you can get. I say to us all…carry on soldier. Be strong and courageous. God is with you.