WORD OF THE WEEK - COURAGE - TRANSITION SERIES - 4-19-26

DEFINITION:Courage is mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. It is the ability to control your fear in a dangerous or difficult situation. It is the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, or pain without withdrawing.Add to word list
SCRIPTURES:Ecclesiastes 3:1 — “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
Deuteronomy 31:8“He will be with you; he will not leave you nor forsake you. Do not fear; do not be dismayed.”

John 16:33“…In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world.”

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Website: www.wow-newton.com
Email:  osnewton@wow-newton.com

Transcript

DEFINITION:Courage is mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. It is the ability to control your fear in a dangerous or difficult situation. It is the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, or pain without withdrawing.

SCRIPTURES:Ecclesiastes 3:1 — “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
Deuteronomy 31:8“He will be with you; he will not leave you nor forsake you. Do not fear; do not be dismayed.”

John 16:33“…In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Word of the Week:COURAGE
We continue our Transition Series with the word “courage”—a strength most needed when transition comes swiftly or unexpectedly.
Imagine This…Over the last few months, there has been a tremendous shift in the atmosphere. Everyone is talking about this man who was once an adopted son of Pharaoh. I remember the day his daughter found my baby brother in a basket among the reeds along the riverbank. Even then, we knew he was a Hebrew like us.
Rumor says he killed an Egyptian soldier and later returned to demand our release from bondage. He claims God spoke to him through a burning bush. Since then, strange and powerful things have been happening. The Nile turned to blood. Frogs, gnats, and flies filled the land—everywhere except where we lived. It was astonishing.
At first, we thought it was coincidence. But when the Egyptians’ livestock died and ours remained untouched, we could no longer deny the truth. My brother—Hebrew by birth, Egyptian by adoption—was telling us to prepare to leave.
But, I had grown comfortable in Egypt. Here, at least, I had security. This was the only home I had ever known. Suddenly, I was being asked to face the uncertainty of a new life. Would there be fertile land? Could we build new homes? How would we defend ourselves in the wilderness?
Yet God’s providence was undeniable. We were spared from the boils, the hail and fire, the locusts, and even the thick darkness that covered Egypt while we stood in the light.
I obeyed—partly out of faith, partly out of fear. To protect my household, I instructed that our doorposts be painted with the blood of the lamb. I led the women in baking unleavened bread, gathering valuables from our former masters, and preparing our homes to leave after the Passover of the death angel.
Still, I was afraid. Everything was happening so quickly. Our entire nation of over 2 million people was preparing to uproot our lives. I believed in God, but Moses—my brother—was also a stranger to me. Raised in privilege, he is now leading us into the unknown. Why should I trust a man who had lived in the palace he now challenged? What would make him trade royal comfort for this overwhelming task?
I prayed for discernment, courage, and strength. And when I heard him speak, I recognized the voice of God. That voice awakened my courage and reminded me of my calling in this moment of transition.
Since childhood, I have answered my calling for this journey.My name is Miriam.
Now imagine yourself in this scenario…Within months, God moved an entire nation from bondage to freedom. Their deliverance was swift, leaving little time for doubt or debate. They had to act.
But while their deliverance was quick, their transition was not. In the wilderness, they had time to reflect—and to fear. Lacking the courage to trust God, what should have been a short journey became a long one.
A swift transition is when what you believe—and whose you are—matters most. It forces a decision. You can be overcome by fear, or you can find the courage to endure.

If you are facing a sudden transition, ask yourself: Can you control your fear? Do you believe you will overcome? Do you trust that you have what you need—and that you are not alone?
Only God can provide the unchanging stability you need to answer yes.
So build your hope on things eternal, and find the courage to hold to God’s unchanging hand.