Yet when we experience our mishaps or suddenly find ourselves
in the bull’s-eye, we may impulsively grab its sharp edges. We
must have not blind reactive courage but the boldness of mature
intelligence, which can assess and also access all the resources
available. Our minds can put events into perspective and dra-
matically affect our bodies’ responses to sources of fear. Commit-
ments and faith energize the essentials of courage.
John Maxwell has observed, “What’s ironic is that those who
don’t have the courage to take risks, and those who do, experi-
ence the same amount of fear in life.”
An old saying sums it up:
Fear knocked,
Faith answered;
No one was there.Build “Dikes of Courage”
Martin Luther King Jr. had plenty of fears to face. Like Billy, he
received death threats, but in his case they ultimately led to his mur-
der. In addition to all the hatred spewed at him by segregationists,
the FBI tracked his every move, looking for evidence against him.
He had experienced arrest and imprisonment, and he realized how
dangerous his leading the Civil Rights Movement really was.
The night before he was murdered in Memphis, he talked
about the threats from “some of our sick white brothers.” Then
he said, “Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got
some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now.
Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like
anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place.
But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s
will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve
looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there
with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people,
will get to the promised land. And I’m happy, tonight. I’m not
worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have
seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”
The next day he was shot.
Summoning Courage