After being blessed and edified as we watched it in the theatres, we didn’t waste any time buying our own copy to enjoy at home. Purchased on the day the dvd was released, the whole family waited until Friday–a family movie night.
I was struck again at the potential impact of this film on Christian families. A call to men to rise up to what the Lord has called men to be–spiritual leaders, providers and protectors of their wives and children.
But this time while watching the movie, I decided to pay closer attention to the wives of the men who were making new commitments to lead their families in the ways of God. I thought the wives were an accurate depiction of women like me who love the security of being provided for–a roof overhead, bills that are paid and groceries stocked in the pantry. Another wife was concerned about her son’s quietly growing rebellion and was displeased with her husband’s relationship with the teen.
What Makes a Woman Courageous?
The makers of Courageous did an excellent job of defining courage in a godly man: Obedient to the Word, he dares to defy the culture. He accepts responsibility where it is his, and fulfills his role no matter the cost to his comfort. He looks to the Word of God as his authority, his lifeline and instruction manual.
As a woman I want to do the same. I want the Word of God as my foundation for living. I want to fulfill my responsibilities to the ones closest to me no matter the cost. But the Bible tells me, that I am particularly susceptible to fear in a certain area of my life. What is it?
as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. 1 Peter 3:6
The Lord wouldn’t tell us not to fear, if we weren’t prone to do just that. And not only that, but He wants us to not fear anything that is frightening! What is frightening to us?
Trusting God to work His perfect, divine will through our imperfect, very-human husbands.
A Real Courageous Woman
Her husband Abraham put her in danger of being defiled, did not protect her and acted selfishly, appearing to care more for his own life than hers. He let her be carried off, not once, but twice! Yet she called him lord!
The Lord took incredible care of Sarah, and moved mightily on her behalf:
But the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. So Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife; take her, and go.” And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had.
Gen. 12:17-20
Sarah was listed in Hebrews as a woman of great faith. Our faith in God is what gives us courage to be the wives He desires us to be.
Be courageous when your husband looks at you and says you’re moving again.
Be courageous when he loses his job.
Be courageous when he is being disobedient to the Word.
Be courageous when you look in the pantry and it’s empty.
Be courageous when the bank account is depleted and the kids need shoes.
Be courageous, yes, even when illness or death threaten you.
Fearful? Run to your Strong Tower. Then go be a wife who doesn’t fear.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10
Bambi is the helpmeet to her high school sweetheart for seventeen years now, and they have seven blessings they are raising together for the glory of God. Their eighth baby (a girl!) will be joining them in March, Lord willing. Bambi enjoys good coffee, homeschooling, reading meaty books and spending time outdoors. She enjoys blogging about family discipleship, marriage and motherhood at her blog In the Nursery of the Nation.