Tag Archives: obstacles
Courage that Conquers all Fear!
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
Nelson Mandela
When I was about 5 years old, my mom and I went to visit my grandma. And to make an impression on her, I decided to walk to her house by myself. For a little girl, it was a somewhat long path from the main entrance to where the house was located. As I smiled and observed the trees and flowers around me, excited because my grandma would think I had arrived by myself – according to my imagination – suddenly, that joyful face turned into distress and great fear. It was because two big dogs who didn’t know me grabbed my small elbows with their mouths and literally escorted me, almost like a prisoner, to my grandma’s house. All of this while I shouted loudly, “Help me, grandma, help me.” Well, in the midst of the scene of barking, almost dog bites, and screams, my grandma and other relatives came to my rescue.
I’m not sure if this story shows courage in any way. In reality, in my adulthood, I am still afraid of dogs, albeit less so. And I always try to stay away from especially unknown ones.
Nevertheless, with this candid story, I aim to illustrate ‘the power of fear’ and how this power can be overcome.
If I had probably succumbed to the fear of the moment and had stayed paralyzed without saying or doing anything, those dogs might have attacked me with even greater force, and I might not have received the necessary help at the right time.
But in life, we face situations that are more complex and provoke fear, and often even terror.
Let me ask you a couple of questions
- Have you ever felt fear?
- What causes you fear?
- How do you act when facing a specific fear?
Well, if your answer was affirmative to the first question, let me tell you that absolutely everyone, all human beings, face fears, to a lesser or greater extent. We all experience fear in certain circumstances. Yes, perhaps some are simpler than others, but it’s fear, nonetheless.
And to illustrate this theme even further, let me briefly refer to the story of a man greatly admired in the world of leadership, Nelson Mandela. As you have probably read, Nelson Mandela fought vigorously against racial segregation in South Africa. The well-known ‘Apartheid’ system (1948-1994) in South Africa established that people of color (the vast majority) lived in separate areas from those occupied by the ruling minority, that is, those of white race, especially Europeans. The colored population was highly oppressed during these years.
Mandela spent 27 years in prison. From a very young lawyer, he began his struggle against the ‘Apartheid’ system, seeking maximum justice and social equality. This ‘rebellion,’ as many labeled it, brought him dire consequences – prison – and everything that comes with it, including very adverse conditions.
After Mandela was released, he continued negotiations to finally end the ‘Apartheid’ system, and shortly thereafter, he was democratically elected as the first president of South Africa.
I invite you to investigate and delve into the story of this great man and leader, who certainly did not look out for himself but for the needs of an entire nation. Regardless of his own adversities and great fears in the midst of the battle, he did not rest from fighting for the freedom and equality of an entire people, during his imprisonment and even after his freedom was achieved.
Mandela surely experienced great moments of uncertainty, desolation, and great fear. We have much to learn from his great
example of courage amid great adversity, as he himself expressed: “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
And with certainty, there are many fears we can feel and experience throughout life. Fear in family relationships, fear of a medical diagnosis, fear in work relationships, fears of all kinds.
But perhaps the universal fear that a large part of the world’s population experiences is the fear of death. Have you ever felt fear of dying? Are you afraid of not knowing exactly where you’re going and what will happen to you after death?
Let me tell you that there is someone who bravely conquered death, and that brave one is called Jesus, who certainly died on the cross with one purpose: to bear the sin of humanity and give freedom to all who believe in Him and decide in faith to surrender their lives under His lordship and authority, desiring a new life free from the condemnation of sin and free from accusations. A life filled with harmony and peace that fulfills its purpose on this earth and longs to reunite with its Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ, in eternal life.
Jesus said: “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. And everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26). If you believe this and decide to accept this truth – that Jesus is the resurrection and the life – and surrender your life to Him in faith, desiring a new life in freedom and peace, then there is nothing to fear. Not even the terror of death has the power to haunt you once you decide to accept the Author of life, Jesus Christ. He, with certainty, will go before you, opening a path through the obstacles that will inevitably arise at every step, but with Jesus, you will have the power to overcome them all, if only you make this decision and remain obedient to Him, following the manual of life that Jesus Himself has left us – the Bible, His Word.
So, not even the fiercest dogs, prisons, the terror of death, or anything that causes you fear will have power over you if, from this very moment, you bravely surrender your life to Jesus Christ, the only true God who promises to accompany and guide you every day of your life.
If you have questions about this and want to know how to surrender your life to Jesus Christ, do not hesitate to contact us.
Have you ever experienced walking along an endless path?
“There was something that moved us not to stop or discourage us, but to continue despite the hurdles and perhaps the fatigue we experienced …”
Recently, I shared some outdoor activities, in which I had the opportunity to take short and long walks on trails in the middle of natural forests. It was a unique experience, so I incredibly enjoyed it despite the complexities that arose at certain times.
Eventually, one of the trails was much more complicated than the others, not only more complicated but also longer, almost endless. And in addition, many obstacles appeared throughout the tour.
Endless slopes for climbing; 
some sections downhill, slippery with mud; suddenly some ditches to jump; and in some cases, small streams or mud pits that demanded some impulse to cross them.
To the rhythm of the spectacular twittering of the little birds that fluttered in the middle of the forest and suddenly accompanied by a pair of friendly canines that joined the group as if they took the role of guides, the walk 
along the road suddenly acquired a different nuance. Some were losing strength; others, with a short break in the middle of the path and a little water was enough to regain the strength; others found it tremendously common, they knew they would face obstacles and were ready to face them.
But for everyone, there was something that moved us not to stop or discourage us, but to continue despite the hurdles and perhaps the fatigue we experienced … a single, but powerful thing … our goal: to reach one of the majestic waterfalls of the area.
And so it was, after almost two hours, our eyes could not believe in front of us, one of the most wonderful spectacles, the Cascada de Cóndor Machay, fruit of the thaw of the Cotopaxi snow-capped mountain, located in the Ecuadorian province that bears the same name.
How refreshing it was to stand in front of this spectacular landscape, not
At Cascada Condor Machay
only by the breeze that threw the force of the fall of the waters of the Condor Machay, which definitely brought freshness to our faces and bodies; but also because it brought refreshment to our souls, upon knowing that we achieved our goal, we discovered the beauty of Condor Machay, more than 3,000 meters high. Amazing! What an extraordinary live stage!
Walking along these roads and in particular this one that took us to Condor Machay, at times seemed a myriad, endless and irresistible path, but our eyes were on the finish line, the inestimable goal that was finally achieved and enjoyed.
Have you ever experienced walking along an endless path? Have you ever thought that the path of life sometimes seems to be an endless and overwhelming path?
Many times, walking through life may seem like a path whereby we walk without reaching the finish line. We certainly face many obstacles, but unfortunately we do not reach our goal. Now, what is your goal? What do you want to achieve at the end of life?
Perhaps, having a successful marriage, children fulfilled both as persons and as professionals, a highly respectable professional development, businesses that reach their maximum magnificence; and all this can be valuable and if achieved, it will be truly worthy of admiration. However, even if all this seems stately and invaluable it remains purely physical and emotional. But, what about the spiritual realm?
Do we think perhaps that after all the innumerable hurdles overcome and the success achieved on this planet, everything ends there once we leave it?
Well, absolutely not, God, our Creator according to His Word, “… and has set eternity in the human heart…” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We are eternal beings, once we leave this earth, we will live – our spirit will live forever. The question is, where?
And while our life does not have a clear and transcendent purpose, all success achieved even in the midst of huge obstacles becomes transient, temporary, fleeting achievements and even futile. Why? Because very often everything we do, and with great effort, is simply done to bring about recognition to our own name.
The writer John Piper, in his book, “Don’t waste your life” states: “It is about the greatness of God, not the significance of man. God made man small and the universe big to say something about Himself.”
The moment we recognize that we are creatures of God, the creator of the heavens and earth, of the human being, of the entire universe and of everything in it; our perspective will change completely. We are beings created by the great Almighty God and we are made in His image and likeness and we are created for good works; as His Word states: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).
Then everything makes sense. It’s not about us, it’s about who made us and what He created us for. God is the one who gives purpose to our lives, He is the one who will fulfill His purpose in each one of us (Psalm 138: 8), of course if we turn to Him, if we seek His direction, if we long for His purpose in our lives.
The journey of life is complicated, exhausting and confusing at times; but if we are clear about our purpose and we set our eyes on it, we know that every obstacle will finally be overcome. Jesus said: “I have told you these things so that you may find peace in me. In this world you will face afflictions, but be encouraged! I have overcome the world (John 16:33). And He also said: “In my Father’s house are many rooms; If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (John 14: 2).
Today may be the day you find true peace and salvation. Surely, you may have been walking on seemingly blind alleys, endlessly. And perhaps, without any major achievements. But Jesus Christ invites you to leave all the burden at His feet today, to confess your sins before Him, to let go everything that troubles you before Him. Jesus today listens to you, He listens to your heart and invites you to release everything that overwhelms you. He is your Savior, your Healer, who forgives all your evils and is ready to welcome you with open arms.
You have tried to jump or evade so many obstacles but without any luck. If today you open your heart completely, without regrets, if you repent of all sin, Jesus promises you eternal life in His presence, and also to walk with you the path of life. At the end of the path, the majestic inexhaustible source of living water will surely await you, Jesus Christ Himself who will receive you with open arms, who will wipe away your tears, who will refresh your soul!
His Word indeed states: “The LORD Himself goes before you and be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31: 8).
Photos: Courtesy of CI colleagues.
Cecilia (Cecy) Yépez was born in Ecuador, South America.
Towards Excellence 
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