Day 17 – Fortitude

“𝐼𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑 ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑀𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢. 𝐼𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑤𝑛. 𝑌𝑒𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝐼 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑 ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑦𝑜𝑢.” 𝐽𝑜ℎ𝑛 15:18-19

𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞 – 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞.

Although the English word fortitude is rarely used in the most popular versions of the Bible, the concept is addressed numerous times. We find synonyms like endurance, strength, or perseverance more commonly describing the importance of this virtue and the command to pursue it.

Commonly, it is used in conjunction with our faith and relationship with Jesus Christ. From the church establishment era when the New Testament was still being penned, persecution against early Christ followers was escalating – leading to loss of property, position, and life. Therefore, the apostles and leaders continually urged believers to stand strong, have courage, and endure for Jesus’s sake.

Struggles are real. And in some countries, the persecution of Christians is still an inescapable reality. Because Jesus loves us and we Him, the world will hate us. In our daily walk with Jesus – following His commands through loved obedience – the virtue of fortitude not only grows stronger, but we can use it to encourage fellow believers too.

Prayer: Father, I know I take for granted the freedom we enjoy to freely worship You. Today I pray for those that can’t and ask that You give them the courage and strength to endure any hardships they might face for the sake of Jesus. I also ask that You help us grow in fortitude as encouragers to our fellow believers. And when struggles hits us, Lord remind us of fortitude and to courageously stand strong in the faith. Amen.