Where do you draw your courage and strength in times of despair?

This past Thursday night, my father-in-law, John Adams (along with three others) received a huge honor at Columbia Country Club.  As a co-founder of The Yellow Ribbon Fund, a non-profit providing support for the caregivers of our wounded veterans, he was recognized for his generosity, vision, and dedication to an incredible cause.  These founders created a legacy that will forever change the way we provide for our wounded veterans and their families.  Thank you for helping our veterans and our country!

As part of the evening’s festivities, we were treated to an inspirational speech from First Sergeant Matt Eversmann, whose harrowing tale of struggle and survival was immortalized in the film Blackhawk Down.  As the lead Army Ranger in a daytime military raid, Sgt. Eversmann was captured and marked for death by an angry mob on the hostile and war-torn streets of Mogadishu.

His story of survival was nothing short of remarkable.  But perhaps the most powerful takeaway was also the simplest.  Sgt. Eversmann admitted that he was afraid (If you have seen the movie, can you blame him?) But he explained that courage is not about denying fear, it’s about moving forward in the face of fear.  So how did he tap into that courage?

By recalling a simple Biblical verse from the Book of Joshua, which was emphasized during his training:

Be strong and be courageous for I will always be with you wherever you go.

For Sgt. Eversmann, that simple message provided all the strength he needed to fight back.  His God was always with him.  He was not alone.  And that inspired him to action and ensured his survival and safe delivery.

Most of us will never have to face such a brutal ordeal at the hands of such an incensed enemy.  But the struggles in both our personal and professional lives can be just as daunting.  Where will we draw our courage?  Who will inspire us to move forward?

We Can’t Always Do It Alone

In our work lives, the challenges can be overwhelming.  An unmotivated or fractured sales team.  An increasingly unfavorable market.  A demoralizing boss or co-worker.  An unappreciative or abusive client.  A team brimming with selfish players. A classroom riddled with apathy.  How can we make a difference?  How can we keep moving forward in the face of palpable frustration?

Inaction is not the answer.  Paralysis will get us nowhere.  In troubled times, we can’t always do it alone.  When fear and doubt take hold, we must look to our inner circle for inspiration.  Who will be there for us in times of chaos and upheaval?  Perhaps it is a respected mentor who always gives us the best advice.  Perhaps it is a trusted colleague who offers a word of encouragement.  Perhaps it is a member of our team who leads be example and always remains calm under pressure.

These people will not judge.  These people will always be in our corner.  Even if we want to throw in the towel, these people will inspire us to keep fighting!

Someone Will Always Be In Our Corner

The same is true in our personal lives.  Perhaps our children are not listening to our advice. Perhaps we are experiencing turbulence with our spouse.  Perhaps we have fractured a personal relationship or come at odds with a family member.  There are times when it feels we are all alone. There are times when it feels like the world is against us.

But we have to stay strong and courageous in these difficult times.  There will always be someone in our corner.  Perhaps we can rely on a supportive parent.  Perhaps we can solicit the advice of a lifelong friend.  Perhaps our spouse or child can provide a calming perspective.  We need to lean on these relationships when the world is crashing down around us.  They will give us the strength to move forward.  They will be with us wherever we go!

Keep Fighting

Resilience is not about renouncing fear.  It is not about putting up our guard and powering through alone.  Sometimes the challenge is too great.  Sometimes the resistance is too scary.  Sometimes the chaos is too overwhelming.  Fear is a rational and understandable response to our daily battles.

But we can’t give in to the enemy.  We can’t lay down and wave the white flag.  We can’t accept a fate that falls short of our God-given potential.  We have to keep moving forward even when we are afraid!

Who are the critical people in our lives?  Who are the people who inspire us in difficult times?  These people will give us the strength we need to stay resilient!

Ask John Adams and the founders of The Yellow Ribbon Fund. Ask Sgt. Matt Eversmann and our veterans who have battled to keep our country out of harm’s way.

Strength and courage thrive when we lean on the people who make us feel safe.

Keep fighting, stay resilient and God Bless America!