Women's Bible Study~ The Virtuous Life ~ Week 4 Fortitude

Week 4 – Part 1- The Virtue of Fortitude~

Fortitude-mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty, adversity, danger, or temptation courageously:

Life’s tough, an uphill battle is never pleasant, but here’s the thing, if you want to see change, and live a victorious life, be persistent, courageous and strong.

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; – 2 Peter 1:5

Looking at this verse in its original context, we see the word ‘diligence’ translated from the Greek word spoudē which is an earnestness in accomplishing, promoting, or striving after anything. So a more modern translation of the word diligence might add to its clarity: constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken. (Dictionary.com)

We see fortitude in action with Paul’s letter to the Philippians in chapter 3. He’s a runner in a spiritual race, leaving anything behind that might weigh him down. He gave all diligence to the race before him and threw aside anything that stood in the way.

When I look at Paul, I see a man of virtue, a man full of grit who exercised inner strength to win Christ. He writes,

 This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:13-14

In Acts chapter 27 there’s an interesting story about the apostle Paul and several other prisoners who were sailing to Italy under the supervision of Julias the centurion. After making a stop and transferring ships, the winds were so rough that it was impossible to stay on course. They docked at the Island of Crete. By this time the stormy weather made it impossible to continue on. Paul warned them that they should stay put, but they ignored him and continued the journey to a better harbor.

Here’s where the life lesson comes in. While out at sea, they lost control, and in order to survive, they had to lighten the ship. On the first day they threw out the anchors, on the second day the cargo, on the third day they threw out their tackle and provisions.Their belongings.

And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. – Acts 27:20

It wasn’t until they relied fully on God that they found a glimpse of hope. Hope was there all along, but sometimes we need to come to the end of our rope before we realize that we’re resting in the palm of God’s hand. Paul advised them that God would rescue them, but that they must remain together. In a final act of faith, they lightened the ship yet again and threw their food into the sea. The ship and everything in it was destroyed, but every one of those men made it safely to shore.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-3

Questions ( Read matching Scriptures)

1. What are some things that have robbed you of joy or left you unsettled? Would Paul's advice have changed anything?

2. Can you think of a time when others have supported you in prayer? Is there someone you can feverently pray for today?

3. What words did Jesus pray three times? What can you learn from this?

1. Read Philippians 3 “Pressing Toward the Mark”
2. Read Exodus 17 “Moses Lifts His Hands”
3. Matthew 26:36-56 “Not My Will But Thine Be Done”

This completes our 4 week women's bible study "The Virtuous Life" A study based on the Time warp wife's Darlene Schacht. I pray you have gotten something out of it and enjoyed it. Thanks for joining us, see you next study.