“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37, ESV)
You are not a conqueror. You are more than a conqueror! In Christ, you are stronger and more able than you ever realize.
But too often we feel like victims. We are defeated by the words of others. Or we are physically defeated by an illness. There are forces in this world that knock us down. They seemingly overpower us.
How can I be more than a conqueror when I am knocked down? It is called courage. There are many people who fail to experience abundant life because they don’t have the courage to get up after being knocked down. They take on the role of victim. But while you may be down, you are not out.
When you have God on your side, you may get punched and knocked down, but that does not mean you will get knocked out. There are many things in this world that can put us down, but there is nothing that can keep us down. Courage is to face danger, hardship, or uncertainty knowing the victory is already won. You are not a victim. You have more power to control your circumstances than you realize.
There is no greater example of this than the death and resurrection of Jesus. On Good Friday he was put down in the grave. Death had seemingly won. It was a dark day. But the grave could not keep him. On Easter Sunday he would rise up. He defeated death and the grave through the resurrection. Now the saying is true:
Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55, ESV)
If you are a believer, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in you (Romans 8:11). Rise up! God has given you the ability to rise up against whatever odds that you face. If he can defeat death, he can defeat whatever it is that stands against you. Stand up on your two feet. Refuse to be defeated.
You might be afraid. That is okay. Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the ability to get up in spite of our fears. The source of our courage is Christ and the victory won through the resurrection. While this world may take my life, it cannot take my salvation.
Reflection
- Where do you allow yourself to play the role of victim?
- Where is Christ calling you to stand in courage and faith?
- How do you build courage?
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