True Courage

I have been studying 1 John and have been so very blessed and encouraged in my personal walk with God. I though I would share with you all an excerpt from the study I am going through, When God First Thought of You by Lloyd John Ogilvie.

This is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. (1 John 5:4)

"The Duke of Wellington, who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo, recorded in his journal the need for 'three o'clock in the morning courage.'
We would agree. Before and in the midst of the battles of life, we need courage. Courage is fear that has been on its knees in prayer. Whenever we start thanking God in tight situations, courage begins to flow. It is a quality of spirit which meets danger or opposition with intrepidity, calmness, resoluteness, and determination. Mordecai's words to Queen Esther focus our need for courage. 'Could it be that you have been brought to the Kingdom for such a time as this?'.....
There are conditions to courage, however. It is the special gift to those who are doing the Lord's work on His strength. Paul could ask, 'If God is for us, who can be against us?' The Lord is always for us, but he's not always for what we are doing. Paul said, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' He could do all the things which were guided by the Lord.
Once we are sure of his direction we can be equally sure of the gift of courage. Christian courage is given for carrying the cross of obedience....
The reason many contemporary Christians lack courage is that they are not involved in issues or challenges in which the Lord is their only invisible means of support. Most of the things we attempt can be done on our own strength. The adventure of the Christian life begins when we dare to do what we could never pull off without the Holy Spirit. That's when courage is given."
Lloyd John Ogilvie

How powerful of a word is this! So needed in my life and in every Christians life. So blessed to read this! I hope you all are inspired to live courageously for the Lord!