Finding the courage to speak up when our message is unpopular can be frightening. People might reject us, enemies will attack us – and at times, we will have to stand alone. In the words of the great Chinese proverb, great leaders recognize that "a person who follows the crowd, will never be followed by the crowd."

Have you found yourself reluctant to speak up about controversial issues?

Have you become more inclined to be "politically correct" or biblically sound?

Like many of us, the Apostle Paul had to face the fear of speaking up. His message was unpopular, and his opposition was great. The Lord, however, spoke to him in a vision and said: "...don't let anyone intimidate or silence you. No matter what happens, I'm with you and no one is going to be able to hurt you." (Acts 18:9, MSG).

The Lord will be our courage under fire. We can find strength in knowing that when we speak up for what is right, He is on our side. Controversy doesn’t thwart Him, and it certainly cannot surprise Him. He will give us the strength needed to be bold, strong, and courageous. In fact, the Lord has already forewarned that when we speak up, many will try to shut us up:

"Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name...What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort...even though they don't like it, I do..." (Luke 6:22-23, MSG).

Mother Teresa knew first hand what it felt like to be booed, rejected, and threatened because she was willing to say what was unpopular. During a 1989 interview, Time magazine asked her, "When you spoke at Harvard University a few years ago...people booed. What did you think when they booed you?" She responded,

"I offered it to our Lord. It's all for Him, no? I let
Him say what He wants...we must tell the truth."

Our cry:
Lord, thank You for being my courage under fire. Please give me the wisdom to know when to speak up – even when people try to shut me up. Please replace my fear with your confidence, and my reluctance with your determination. Strengthen me so that I may say what is biblically sound, rather than what is politically correct. No matter what happens, I will tell the truth. I know that You are with me.

For I am Your handmaiden. I am Your servant.

Recommended reading:
Joshua 1:9, New American Standard Bible Translation
Luke 6:22-23, Message Bible Translation
Acts 18:9, Message Bible Translation

Marsha DuCille
Publisher/Editorial Director
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