Courage in the face of struggle is something that we all need. It is difficult to understand how the struggle we face can help us to grow mentally and spiritually.
Joshua 1:9 tells us:
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because I am your God, the Eternal One, and I will remain with you wherever you go"
M. o matter the adversity that we face, Go. d is always with us and will never leave us for any reason. God does not the author of our struggles but He will use them for... moreCourage in the face of struggle is something that we all need. It is difficult to understand how the struggle we face can help us to grow mentally and spiritually.
Joshua 1:9 tells us:
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because I am your God, the Eternal One, and I will remain with you wherever you go"
M. o matter the adversity that we face, Go. d is always with us and will never leave us for any reason. God does not the author of our struggles but He will use them for our benefit even when it is we that bring about the conditions of our suffering which is often the situation.
God loves us and wants only the best for us. He will, however, use our battles to bring us closer to Him. In James 1:12 we are told:
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him".
Times of adversity can be a time of growth IF we approach them in faith, in prayer, and with an attitude of perseverance.
For us, modern knights, we k ow that perseverance is the tenth of the twenty-four virtues that we learn and apply in our daily lives ( Knights of Christ, Biddle, Daniel A., pgs 67-69).
Romans 8:28
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose".
As Templars we fit into this category. We are called to serve God in the Order, and witnessing to those in our pervue of ministry. Some of us act as priests while others serve as instruments of peace and nurture to people who have been unhoused, coworkers, or friends and family. Sometimes it is people who are facing loss through fire or other natural disasters or others who are facing illnesses.
We face our challenges not only to strengthen our personal growth, but also to be able to minister to others with empathy and understanding As we have been through the same challenges.
Personally, I face complications to a medical condition called Huntingtons disease. This is an autoimmune disorder which attacks my central nervous system. It makes it challenging to learn and retain new information. Conversation with people is difficult because it takes me longer to speak or respond to others, which can be a lesson in patience.
I have lost the ability to walk more than eighteen feet without assistance before losing strength and balance. There are days of deep depression and malaise resulting from my limitations and feeling that I am a burden to friends and family. These are just a few of the symptoms which I regularly face.
In the beginning I felt that I was being punished for something that I had done, but now I understand that I have bee blessed to be as I am. It has given me the opportunity to work with others who face chronic illness or physical injury. It has been a rough road but through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).
One of my favorite quotes is from Philo of Alexandria: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle which you know nothing about.”. So many face their affliction with great stoicism and courage.
Within our Order we have brothers and sisters who have physical, mental, and/or emotional issues and I am amazed at the courage they evince and the patience, compassion, and love they are shown.
1 Peter 3:8 NIV
“8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”.
It takes great courage to face adversity, but it also takes an equal measure of courage to reach out to others extending a loving hand to help them. It takes immeasurable courage to share God’s word and love.
“Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong – that is your oath.”
Heavenly Father, thank you for choosing us to be defenders of our faith. Thank you for giving us the opportunity and courage to face our own afflictions while reaching out to others to give them comfort and support. It is only through You that we have the courage and strength to do Your will. Non nobis, Domine, non nobis, sed Nomini tuo da gloriam. In Jesus’ holy name, amen.
SGT Eric Fletcher
Priory of St Joan of Arc
Agit et Deus aget
Bethlehem was a small town, insignificant in comparison to bigger cities in the area. In the Message Paraphrase of Micah 5:2, Bethlehem is referred to as “the runt of the litter.” Why would God choose to come to earth in such an unimportant location? Does it seem like a worthy birthplace for the King of Kings?
The thing is, God has never been interested in the world’s definition of greatness. Wealth, fame, popularity, power—none of these are noteworthy to God. Paul told the C... moreHumble Beginnings
Bethlehem was a small town, insignificant in comparison to bigger cities in the area. In the Message Paraphrase of Micah 5:2, Bethlehem is referred to as “the runt of the litter.” Why would God choose to come to earth in such an unimportant location? Does it seem like a worthy birthplace for the King of Kings?
The thing is, God has never been interested in the world’s definition of greatness. Wealth, fame, popularity, power—none of these are noteworthy to God. Paul told the Corinthians, “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” What He can do in someone’s life is not limited by their earthly status. If Bethlehem was “the runt of the litter,” how much more glory would God receive for establishing the life of His Son there? Where Jesus’ journey began did not determine what He could accomplish for the Kingdom. Isn’t it the same with us?
Prayer: Father, thank You for not allowing the lowest points of my life to limit my potential. Thank You for giving divine purpose to someone as imperfect as me. I praise You for Your amazing power that carries me in moments of weakness. I know that no matter where I started, You will take me where You want me to go. Thank You, Jesus, for showing me that incredible things begin in humble places. Amen.
SGT Eric Fletcher
Priory of St Joan of Arc
Act and God will act
A while back my Sunday school class got into a debate about how someone should pray. Specifically, it started off the 5-step model based on the Lord’s Prayer.
This model is certainly a good model, it focuses on starting off with reverence and realizing who you are talking to, thanking Him for all we have, confessing where we have failed, and only then going to our “needs” starting with others before ourselves. The conflict came... moreA while back my Sunday school class got into a debate about how someone should pray. Specifically, it started off the 5-step model based on the Lord’s Prayer.
This model is certainly a good model, it focuses on starting off with reverence and realizing who you are talking to, thanking Him for all we have, confessing where we have failed, and only then going to our “needs” starting with others before ourselves. The conflict came in when people started debating whether ever single prayer given has to be based on this model. Some believed that every prayer ever offered needs to follow this as it is the model Jesus gave. Some believed that some steps can be omitted. I was reminded of this conversation by SGT Eric’s post reminding us that short prayers work too, because I was definitely in the camp that sometimes it can be short.
The way I explained that then was that when I have a rifle strapped to my chest and I am and doing 70mph down a street, potentially driving to my death, I don’t typically have the time to go through five steps. I need to get to the scene and do my job and stopping to follow a strict liturgical pattern may literally cause someone else to die. In those instances, my common prayer is simply this “Lord, please keep us alive.” Sometimes there are other specifics included, but sometimes that’s literally it. Last year when a homicide suspect started shooting through the walls at us and my team was hiding behind the armored vehicle I was up on the scope, looking through the crosshairs and my only prayer was “Lord please calm my heart and give me strength” because in that moment, focus on what is at hand is necessary, but a quick prayer focused on the needs at hand still went up and 100% was answered. Immediately my heart was calmed and focus came in.
So, is it good to pray the 5-step structure? Absolutely. It is a reverent format that reminds of us our priorities. But as SGT Eric said, prayer can be short and poorly worded. It's about the heart, not just the specific words.
“Never stop praying.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17. You are commanded to never stop praying, so sometimes that format will change based on the situation, but never stop praying.
Isaiah 9:1-2
1 “BUT [in the midst of judgment there is the promise and the certainty of the Lord's deliverance and] there shall be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time [the Lord] brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time He will make it glorious, by the way of the Sea [of Galilee, the land] beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great Light; those who dwelt in the land of i... moreIsaiah 9:1-2
1 “BUT [in the midst of judgment there is the promise and the certainty of the Lord's deliverance and] there shall be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time [the Lord] brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time He will make it glorious, by the way of the Sea [of Galilee, the land] beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great Light; those who dwelt in the land of intense darkness and the shadow of death, upon them has the Light shined.”
SGT Eric Fletcher
Priory of St Joan of Arc
God Above All
