Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.
This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)
Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!
Today's word: fortitude
What does the word fortitude mean to you?
Do you consider yourself a person of fortitude? Why or why not?
What is the one thing that requires the most fortitude out of you in your earthly life? How about in your faith walk?
Let me know what you think!!
"Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation." (Romans 5:3-4, AMP)
"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"
Yes I think it means endurance, something I am learning a lot about, but don't find particularly easy.
ReplyDeleteI think it means how much we can endure. God is truly teaching me that through my health. I love you sis.
ReplyDeleteI would love to teach fortitude to my grandson regarding his homework Sharon. How or why do some people have it and some people not?
ReplyDeleteThe ability to stick with a thing or to endure is what comes to mind when I see the word fortitude.
ReplyDeleteMost of the time I find enduring my failures and not becoming discouraged, confess them and let God teach me how to endure with His attitude. Some people think "enduring hardship" makes one more spiritual. Even Christ in his enduring the thoughts of the cross, said if it be your will Father, take this cup from me. If we endure with a Christ like attitude others will see Jesus in us. Good questions...good post.
ReplyDeleteWhen I hear fortitude, I think strength and patience somehow tied together. I think I need more fortitude than I have :)
ReplyDelete(thanks for your kind words about hubby's songs; I too would be shuffling along with you Sharon if I was dancing, or if I danced like the girls in the video, I wouldn't be walking again for the sore muscles :)
betty
To me it's standing despite the storm. But I know I can't unless Jesus is standing beside me.
ReplyDeleteBlessings Sharon... I guess the chosen Scripture with gave that away; however I just had to cheat
ReplyDelete(after reading the previous comments) rather than share what fortitude means to me (so that means look it up in Webster). But first, I thought about the word and what may be the derivative I see in this word ... forte (naw) an attitude (naw) I'm thinking that 'forte' part is like strength similar to fuerza in Spanish ... or just fort like a shelter... now I just had to see the synonyms and meaning. What came to mind was the expression of "intestinal fortitude" (certainly never thought of that meaning but surely it has to do with "intestines"-yuck) However, I'm guessing it has to do with inner strength from deep within. And lo and behold; Merrian Webster says:
strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage instead of just strength...
this is not my forte at all...
but I imagine, your wilderness-mountain living, brings about a whole new fortitude for you (sigh) Yep, the Amplified certainly draws a clear picture of our need for this and how immature my spiritual character is ... when the rubber hits the road I am so weak and so thankful that HE IS SO STRONG! So that answers your question kinda about whether I'm a person of fortitude
or totally a F.R.O.G. (I really have to be a FROG ya' know, but that's way better than a wimp)! Yep, I need to fully rely on God cuz without Him, I just ain't got it in me.
What requires the most out of me? Waiting and relying when I'm far away from "people" that I'm accustomed to
to help me out or see me through and I truly have to rely.
Being in MX certainly has fortified me (is that from the same word?) like our vitamins, we need a strengthening and a dose from God of His Word and most definitely His power to overcome and bear adversity even pain as we encounter danger (which the enemy certainly is throwing out at us more forcefully)! May we each endure and increase our spiritual endurance. May we become fortified in Christ, so that we no longer live but that Jesus truly lives in us and through us. Yeah, I need more of Him every day to face the turmoils of this world and even the thoughts in my mind. [Just saw that movie ARGO and I can't even picture myself living in a country like that nor being a hostage, yet we could face perils like that still in these end times. I pray not but I imagine those 60 (focus on 6) that were in ****** never thought this would happen.] Who or how would we be rescued or sustain fortitude in circumstances like that? Our faith walks have not even been a wee bit tried like persecuted people living in other countries. May God give us fortitude as we press on in our walk and our faith, preparing for the battles that we may encounter that pale in comparison.
Peace in Christ... much love and thanks for your comments again... Love, Peggy
Oh, my - I could write a book on fortitude; but no one would want to read it. :)
ReplyDeleteI think of it in terms of the old saying "just keep on keeping on." Indeed. Blessings to you this weekend.
When I think of fortitude I think of an unmovable rock or boulder. Then I'm reminded of Jesus who is our rock."The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge..." (Ps. 18:2) I have the rock at my back and on either side. He holds me up and gives me the strength and courage to go forward.
ReplyDeleteThe Lord, is my "fortitude."
Thanks Sharon for the brain and spiritual tickler.
Beverly
Hi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteFortitude is standing strong in the Lord during trials. To endure or to preserver. Also to be bold.
May God bless you,
Ken
Fortitude is standing firm in our circumstances...running the race to the end. Lately I feel I have needed to stand firm as I await God's promise for healing from illness and especially pain. I also am reminded of Gal. 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ set us free, stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by my blog, Sharon and your kind words. I enjoy coming here to read your posts...they inspire and motivate me. God bless.
Fortitude-a word I haven't thought of or used for a long time. The pioneers had fortitude to keep pressing on. Like a strong constitution, it was needed for survival. The attitude that says, I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back. Being strong in him, because we're not strong in ourselves.
ReplyDeleteWhat does the word fortitude mean to you?
ReplyDeleteIt means strength, perseverance, endurance, courage. It means all those things in the face of overwhelming struggles or suffering. It comes from character, and implies an indomitable spirit which stands against all odds.
Do you consider yourself a person of fortitude? Why or why not?
No, I don't. I want to be a person of fortitude, but my worrying and anxiety really gets the better of me a lot of the time. I'm not necessarily weak, but I wish I had more strength to stand on my shaky little legs. All too often, I tend to rely on my own strength, instead of on the power of the Holy Spirit.
What is the one thing that requires the most fortitude out of you in your earthly life? How about in your faith walk?
One of the things that requires fortitude in my earthly life is that I've always been prone to headaches. Many times it requires fortitude to do the things I have to do in spite of pounding pain. In my faith walk, it's trust that requires the most fortitude out of me. I battle anxiety so much, and it cripples me. I continue to pray for fortitude in my faith walk, and the strength (HIS strength) to overcome the worries that weaken me.
GOD BLESS!