If a person is naive they get taken advantage of. They may start out fearless but after getting hurt again and again they 'learn' to fear or avoid people.
Wise people see what motivates others. They deal with people realistically and learn from their mistakes.They face their fears and collaborate.
Joshua 1:9-10 ESV — "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” And Joshua commanded the officers of the people,"
Deuteronomy 31:6-8 ESV — "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”"
Ezra 10:4-5 ESV — "Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.” Then Ezra arose and made the leading priests and Levites and all Israel take an oath that they would do as had been said. So they took the oath."
It is shocking how many passages talk about collaboration linked to courage.
We can cast our cares upon God and face our fears and we should but are we courageous if we can and won't work 'with' people? Will we let pain turn us into cowards? Our first and primary collaboration can be with God. Then He will give us wisdom about people. Once we understand people's motivations we will be able to have mutually beneficial collaborations.
--
No comments:
Post a Comment