I believe God laid the word “Fortitude” on my heart today. So the first thing I did today was do a Google search on the word. Here’s what I found…
“The gift of fortitude brings to those who have it a dauntless spirit of resolution, firmness of mind, and indomitable will to persevere with a quiet faith in God’s providence that overcomes all obstacles. It also brings courage to persist in the practice of virtue despite trials, illness, persecution or external failure. “
Just like the cowardly lion in the Wizard of Oz, sometimes we all need… c-c-c-ourage!!
Check this out – while I was googling “fortitude” I came across this, and to really understand we need to trace things back to the nature of life in Biblical times. A fort is where this word comes from. To protect themselves and to be secure, humans gathered together under the safeguard of a fort…
“Forts took one of two forms. Either the city itself was a fort because it had a protective wall with strong gates for entry and towers for observation and defense, or a fort was nearby, dedicated to being a refuge in siege and the place where military men served to observe and protect not only the nearby city but also key roads and routes of travel. This is why the tone of the gift of“Fortitude” is one of unflappability, constancy and reliability. The fort is always there and is watchful, since being alert and on guard is as important as one’s skill in actual defensive battle. One can think of the fort as being like what we call today “homeland security.” A person who has the gift of “Fortitude” is like a person who serves as either their own and their family’s self-contained “fort of refuge” or a person who is secure in knowing that a fort of refuge is nearby.”
That’s very interesting; even though we don’t find the word “fortitude” in the Bible, how many times is God compared and referred to as a secure fortress and mighty strong tower? So here’s my take on fortitude… a person who has “fortitude” has a calm, quiet spirit in the face of life’s greatest adversities; they know without a doubt their God is so much bigger than anything that comes up against them in life…
“No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” Isaiah 54: 17
A person with fortitude doesn’t sweat the small stuff, but knows where their priorities lay. This person is not only looking out for themselves, but truly concerned, protective, and caring of others. It’s a gift of the Holy Spirit; true fortitude can only come from God’s own heart.
