“It is easy to conflate the path of least resistance with the narrow path.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – May 16, 2026
Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea. Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. Acts 8:40-9:2, NIV
The book of Acts is filled with accounts of faithful followers of Jesus boldly leading, preaching, and serving in his name while facing incredible threats and opposition. To give but one example, as we see here in Acts 8, while Philip preached the good news of Jesus, Saul was “breathing out murderous threats,” imprisoning anyone “who belonged to the Way.” I don’t know about you, but this might cause me to pause for a second! “Lord, just a quick check in…did I hear you correctly? Are you sure you want me to do this?”
In a culture that seeks to remove pain and friction at every turn, we risk becoming so conditioned by our comfort that the first sign of difficulty leads us to assume something has gone wrong. Especially when we embrace a view of God as our therapist or emotional support coach, we easily conflate the path of least resistance with the narrow path.
Instead, what is needed is the virtue that undergirds every great story and inspires generations to follow even in the face of untold adversity: courage. You and I, like Lucy in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, need to venture boldly for the Lord, and when we find ourselves in a place of great need, we will hear the comforting voice of the Lord whisper to us, “Courage, dear heart.”
Do not shy away from the grand adventure of faith. Do not reduce your life to the pursuit of comfort and ease. Do not shrivel and shrink back at the first sign of trial. Venture greatly and boldly in the name of Jesus Christ, for this is the way of faith and it is in these moments that the Lord makes us brave and transforms us into the men and women we were made to be.
Prayer
Father, give us the courage to face the trials of life with faith and the unshakable confidence that all things are under your care, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Application
What does courageous, faith-filled living look like for you in this season?
Related Reading
John 16:33; Romans 5:3-4; 2 Timothy 1:7
Worship Resource
Josh Baldwin: Stand In Your Love
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