A poker tournament can be filled with emotional tests -- including the moments that can test your courage. If you commit a lot of chips to a potentially big hand, do you hang tough when someone challenges you with a big bet? With potentially an all-in bet? Or do you step back from the edge of the diving board?
We're talking about times that test your courage. And the Bible offers several cases where people are en-couraged by God to have courage.
"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous.... Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." -- Joshua 1:6-9
God tells Joshua to be courageous four times in this chapter (and two times before that, in Deuteronomy 31). I've read that over the years and concluded Joshua must have had a "fraidy-cat," easily-scared personality. Otherwise, why would God use this language over and over? The apostle Paul gave similar advice centuries later:
Be on your guard; stand firm in the truth; be men of courage; be strong. -- I Corinthians 16:13
A minister in Florida has put it well: Christianity isn't for cowards. We're reaching the conclusion that successful poker isn't, either.
So we ask: what advice would you offer for building courage -- in yourself or others?
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