Be strong and courageous

Photo credit: imgarcade.com

We place emphasis on what we say through repetition.  Therefore, whenever you hear somebody saying something over and over again, take note.

When this repetition is in the bible, then one’s levels of caution should soar to unparalleled heights. Examples of this abound, take Song of Songs 2:7 for instance, “Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field; Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.” The exact replica is found in Songs of Songs 3:5, the same verse appears in chapter 8, verse 4 minus ‘by the gazelles and does of the field.” Error? I doubt it. In modern society today, how many times have ladies given their love promptly only to have their hearts broken? Too many to even count!!!Any surprise then that the wise king is repeating this verse? Surely not.

King Solomon is at it again in Proverbs 21;9 with this caution, “Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.” The same verse, word for word, makes up Proverbs 25:24. When you consider that he had many wives and concubines, and that it was women who were his downfall, then you really get why he repeats this.

Solomon wasn’t the only one who repeated words, God did and he had to because of how quickly Israel forgot or lost faith in him. “Do not fear.” That appears more than 300 times in scripture.  It’s a big emphasis bearing in mind that it is often our fears that hold us back and prevent us from truly living the God he desires for us.

One though stands out more than others in the book of Deuteronomy.God says it, Moses says it too and Joshua would later speak those same words which were, “Be strong and courageous.”

I believe those words are being spoken to men today repetitively begging for a response. Being male is natural, but being a man is super-natural because it takes strength and courage. I don’t mean the biceps kind of strength but the strength to persevere, to hold firm amidst adversity, to be true to oneself. The courage to overcome opposition from all quarters, yourself included.

Man, be strong and courageous to take the initiative, to engage in a difficult activity, to reject passivity and act. Adam was passive when Eve was being tempted and look where it got us. Many men are passive to this very day with women and children suffering as a result. Don’t be one of them. Take the initiative and engage in that difficult thing that needs to be done. Act on your conviction; don’t wait for someone else to take initiative for you.

Photo credit: quotesgram.com

Take the initiative by being decisive. Make decisions promptly, beforehand, don’t wait till things spiral out of all control to decide what to do, by then it could be too late.

Man, quit stalling and take the initiative in relationships with women. Ask her out if you’re interested; don’t play mind games, hizo wachia Mourinho. If words fail you, take courage from these guys’ attempts and have lived to tell the story.

” Hey I was looking in the book of numbers and I saw that I didn’t have yours.”

“My name’s Destiny. I have faith that God has chosen you to be my destiny”

“Hi I’m Will...God’s will for you.”

I wish to state that never in my right mind would I attempt any of this, I admit though some are downright hilarious .For these and more click here, if these guys can pull it off and live to tell the story, what should stop us who do it normally? What’s the worst that could happen, just her saying no? Whoever died from rejection even those final fantasy movies couldn’t engineer a death like that no matter how hard they tried. Man be strong and courageous and take initiative in dating or courtship.

Conversely, take initiative by being strong and courageous to admit to a lady that you are in the season of singlehood. Don’t lead a lady on to nowhere, if you aren’t ready for a relationship.  Why give the impression that there is a future when there is none? If a lady shows an interest in you, don’t be passive by saying nothing. Silence won’t end her persistence. Take the initiative and politely tell her you aren’t ready for a relationship.  Some of these calls to Maina and King’ang’i would be stopped if some men could just put their foot down and said, “No.” There’s a time for everything, a time to be in a relationship and a time to be single, when it’s the latter, take the initiative and communicate this clearly to the lady, don’t waste her time.

Man, be strong and courageous to take responsibility for your actions. Work diligently to be a provider not only of material things but a vision for the future. Be the selfless leader of integrity. Be the example or the model for others to follow, coach others through your own experiences in life. Be the dependable and trustworthy man to your work mates, family and friends.

Once in a while, you won’t always do what is expected of you. Don’t play the blame game, if you mess up, own up. Don’t hide in lies or point the finger to everyone but yourself. Nobody is infallible.  Accept you mistake, confess it, rectify it however painful and move on.

Man, be strong and courageous to admit pain or hurting. We are not invincible, Arsenal eventually lost to Manutd after 49 games not out and so will Gor Mahia, it’s just life. We lose, we stumble, we bleed, we cry, it’s ok to be vulnerable once in a while. The loss of a father, mother, brother, sister, friend or anybody else close can be painful. It’s ok to shed a tear.  As we fight in this battle of life, it is inevitable that we will sustain wounds and not just the ones of death. A failed exam, a business deal collapsed, rejection by the lady whom you fancy, betrayal from a close friend, diagnosis of a terminal illness, they come in all shapes and sizes.

It’s funny how words may seem to be the smallest but strike a massive blow to our confidence. We may hurt so bad because of what people say to us or about us. Our self-esteem nosedives to depths even Chelsea hasn’t reached and we become a shadow of our former selves. You just have to look at the way some men seek affirmation in all the wrong places to massage that bruised ego.

Photo credit: sorentalondeviantart.com

Some seek it in prostitutes or numerous casual flings. Others find it in a gang or a group of friends who give them that sense of identity they have never had. They are loyal to the group even if the group engages in wrongdoing. Some men try to mask the pain through alcohol, drugs, gambling. Others just lose the will to fight and easily surrender to the slightest adversity or opposition.

Man, be strong and courageous and deal with your wounds. Have the strength to move on from a loss of a loved one through the support of others and God.  Admit your hurts and confess them, it’s a starting point, hiding them or living in denial will only suppress them for a while. Let go of the hurt of a failed relationship and forgive, free yourself and the other person, if possible seek reconciliation, would you rather be right, bitter and alone or be restored and at peace because you chose to let go of the right to feel aggrieved.

Be strong and courageous in the face of adversity or a sudden downturn in your fortunes. It isn’t always the end of the world. It’s a marvel how tough situations bring out the best in people. Be courageous to put on a brave face and keep on persisting, your life of persistence may become a testimony of hope and inspiration to others in a similar struggle.

Man, be strong and courageous to lead. Whether it’s your class, workmates, family, lead well. Be strong and courageous to sacrifice privileges for the sake of those you are leading. Have the strength of mind and heart to put your followers’ needs above those of your own.  It’s not about you but them. Be strong and courageous to fight the temptation to use your position to enrich yourself, instead, enrich your followers at your own cost.

Photo credit:crunchmodo.com 

Be strong and courageous and break free from the Rat race. Life is more than just getting a bigger pay-cheque, accumulating possessions and living as per people’s definition of success. Be strong and courageous to pursue what you are called to do even if instant riches aren’t forthcoming. Be strong and courageous to do what you are passionate about, to fill a gap or address a gnawing need that will impact the community and then you will leave your mark on this world with others eager to follow in your footsteps.

Man, be strong and courageous to love. You would think that would come naturally but it doesn’t. Be strong and courageous to be faithful to your lady and say no to a lady when you know she is not right for you or you are not right for her. Be strong to remain chaste for your future wife, that’s a far better gift than a Samantha bridal wedding. All around you may be goaded to sex by constant displays of cleavage, thighs and yet another socialite flaunting their derriere, may you resolve to be sexually pure at all costs even if it means ditching TV , your tablet or simply just run.

Photo credit: www.ids.org

Determine what you desire in a lady beyond just looks and establish clearly thought out boundaries when it comes to a relationship. Virginity, monogamy are not impossible standards, you do not have to feed your eyes, your mind and sexual organ through ogling, porn, masturbation or sex. You’re a man, not an animal, muster self control when need be. Be strong and courageous and resolve to be the man who takes the fight to lust and loves his woman for who she is not just what she looks like.

Be strong and courageous to love not only a lady but a male friend as well. David and Jonathan didn’t have a bromance, but a deep friendship that every man should have. It takes a lot of strength to forge such a friendship because you need to be candid, open, share similar values to connect. Man, be strong to share your vulnerable spirit as well. Confess your shortcomings or hurts to a friend because friendship is not about sharing happy moments but difficult ones as well. Life is never meant to be lived alone, you need a friend.

Be strong and courageous when it comes to money.  Be strong and fight the urge to live in opulence, in the end extravagance only impoverishes.  Sometimes broke-ness hits you hard. You may not be able to take a lady out, ride a matatu home or even just buy a smokie because the pocket has simply refused. Don’t keep on borrowing or gambling, you will only enlargen your cycle of debt rather than get out of it. Be strong and courageous to accept your humble position, work hard to get out of it and then use your money prudently when you get it. Live within your means, save and invest, otherwise your pocket will keep on refusing.

Be strong and courageous to fight for your values and integrity. We live in a society that tends to glorify impunity and mock the few people who dare to be upright, yet incredulously complain about corruption. Be courageous to defend your values, practise them even when the majority want the easy way out of compromise. Be the one man of integrity, with the high standards who believes in honesty, discipline, temperance and other virtues. Do right even when you’re the only one doing it.  Society is crying out for men of integrity, be strong and courageous to answer that cry.

Photo credit: www.peacelovesandsarah.com

Be strong and courageous, because before you, there was a man who was. His name was Jesus and he was strong and courageous to go 40 days and nights without food and still resist temptation. He was strong and courageous enough to criticize hypocritical spiritual leaders. He was strong and courageous to pursue his Godly calling that did not earn him riches galore but a led to suffering, excruciating pain and ultimately death on a cross so that you may be reconciled to God and receive the gift of eternal life if you believe him and surrender your life to him.

Man, be strong and courageous and chose him, because through him it’s much easier being a strong and courageous man. When you do, be strong and courageous to tell others about him so that through him, more will be strong and courageous.

Man, be strong and courageous.