Life is what you make of it, it is for the brave of heart, for those who are willing to venture out. It is for those who hold onto to what they believe and persevere. Even the Bible tells us that God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power. Only if we believe.

Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact. –  William James, American Philosopher

We are the creators of our destiny, for better or worse. As a man thinks, so he is – so be not afraid of life and believe that God will empower you to be all that you can be. Remember the words of the Apostle Paul: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

For those who may be reading this blog post today, and do NOT believe that life is worth living, please listen: you may be going through a trial that seems harder than anything you’ve experienced, but you WILL get through it with God’s help. Call on Him each day, and thank Him each day for being alive each day. One day at a time He will carry you through. Yes, you can do this through Christ, reach out to Him for His strength when yours is gone.

Bravery and courage versus fear and cowardice. These qualities are inward attributes that are outwardly revealed by how we respond to the circumstances of life. And the type of person you are is determined by the spirit you carry.

A coward is much more exposed to quarrels than a man of spirit. – Bible or Not?

One would think that a coward would be much less exposed to quarrels than a man of spirit, thinking that a coward would avoid confrontation at all costs. But this quote is about exposure more than engagement, saying that the coward is more exposed, meaning that they are more likely to find themselves in situations that could lead to quarrel.

The difference between a coward and a man or woman of spirit is that the former is not likely to take a stand on anything while the latter stands on their principles. The one may shift his ideals from one situation to the next while the other is clear and firm on their ideals regardless of the situation. If we blow with the wind, no wonder we may get caught up in a hurricane.

The idea of taking a stand on principle, and being clear about where you stand, is taught by Jesus when he says, “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37 New King James Version).

The author of the quote, “A coward is much more exposed to quarrels than a man of spirit”, was Thomas Jefferson. He was a man who understood that those who stand on principle and conviction, and are unwavering yet respectful of others, are less likely to be exposed to quarrels. This is the “Man of Spirit”. Taking it one step further, let that “spirit” be the Spirit of God.

And remember, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear (cowardice), but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

Everything leads to something. That’s the nature of both the good and the bad. Good habits lead to more good habits, bad habits lead to more bad habits. Kind of like the idea of karma, whatever a man sows, that he will reap. And that’s the nature of today’s quote.

“Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” – Yoda, Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace, 1999

Is that true? Biblical? What the Bible does say is that there is no fear in love, that perfect love casts out fear. So, I guess we could assume that without love, there is fear. And the opposite of love is hate, so it is rational to see that connection between fear and hate – they go hand in hand. So, perhaps anger is the step from fear that leads to hate.

FEAR → ANGER → HATE → SUFFERING

Now getting from hate to suffering is easy. God is love, so the Bible tells us. And also, those that do not know love do not know God. And without God, where does that put you? Having a lack of love in your life is painful, and in this life just the beginning of suffering. If we live with hate in our hearts, then we cannot live with God in our hearts, and we therefore will die without God. That is the ultimate suffering.

So, did I sufficiently make the case that Yoda’s wisdom stands up to the Bible? How did I do? Let me know if you enjoyed this, or if you think I’ve gone off the deep end.

Let us not look back in anger or forward in fear. – James Thurber