Turning Point

Attitude can mean the difference between victory and defeat in whatever struggle we’re facing. Morale is half the battle, as historian Robert Mackay writes in his book. According to Mackay, from the outset of World War II, the British Ministry of Information and its partnering agencies “attached great importance to people’s states of mind, measuring the fluctuations in cheerfulness, how much people were interested in the war news and whether they were optimistic about victory or the future more generally.”[1]

At first, there was very little optimism about victory. Yet somehow the British Isles found the courage, cheerfulness, and resolution to press through to victory, and some of the recovered morale was due to a trio of posters created by the Ministry of Information. One poster said: YOUR COURAGE YOUR CHEERFULNESS YOUR RESOLUTION WILL BRING US VICTORY. The message rang true, for people instinctively understood that only the triple-braided rope of courage, cheerfulness, and resolution could pull them through.

            In a sense, the Bible is God’s “Ministry of Information,” His ministry of providing the wisdom we need for abundant living. In Scripture, we see that courage, cheerfulness, and resolution are three valued qualities for the battles we’re waging on three fronts: against the world, the flesh, and the devil. As soldiers in God’s army, we’re fighting principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this age, and spiritual hosts of wickedness (Ephesians 6:12). The apostle Paul talked about the internal war raging inside each Christian in our own flesh—“But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind” (Romans 7:23). Peter talked about “fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11).

In all our daily battles we need the courage, cheerfulness, and resolution described in God’s Word so we can experience the reality of 1 John 5:4: “And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

            Which of these elements do you need most right now: Courage—the “fear-not” attitude of the Bible based on God’s protective care? Cheerfulness—joy of heart and mind based on God’s Holy Spirit? Resolution—the determination to keep your eyes on Jesus and one foot in front of the other until the victory is won?

            Let me give you some passages to read, to pray, and to claim in each category. Perhaps one of them will jump off the page and land in the middle of your mind just as you need it.

Courage

• Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid… for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you—Deuteronomy 31:6
• Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go—Joshua 1:9
• Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart—Psalm 27:14

Cheerfulness

• A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance—Proverbs 15:13
• Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you—Matthew 9:2
• In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world—John 16:33

Resolution

• Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself—Daniel 1:8 (ESV)
• To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power—2 Thessalonians 1:11 (ESV)
• I am resolved to obey Your statutes to the very end—Psalm 119:112 (HCSB)

To the very end, we can be more than conquerors through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 8:37). Every battle we face is somehow connected with the cosmic battle He waged on the cross with the sin of the ages. And every victory is bound up with the triumph of the empty tomb and our Lord’s return to glory. Hebrews 1:3 says: “When He had by Himself purged our sins, [He] sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Colossians 2:15 adds: “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” The cross and the resurrection of Jesus ratify every verse in the Bible; and if the Lord of Glory is backing every verse, why be fearful, sad, and weak-willed? Instead be courageous, cheerful, and resolute!

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David Jeremiah is the senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church and the founder and host of Turning Point for God. For more information about David Jeremiah, visit www.DavidJeremiah.org.