April 8, 2026
- 2 hours ago
- 6 min read
Introduction
Today’s post is from our friend, Will Ostan, a retired U.S. Army Major and seasoned patriot. You might recall that Will is the soldier who introduced me to the Appeal to Heaven flag. I believe that his message today, shared from a combat veteran’s perspective, will inform and encourage you.
Christian Courage
As world events continue to escalate due to America and Israel’s just war against Iran, Russia’s illegitimate long war in Ukraine, and an aggressive China making its intentions known for eventual world domination by the end of this decade, the church has a stark choice on how it responds to these volatile times. Will we retreat? Or will we stay engaged in the culture through prevailing prayer and a resolute determination marked by Christian courage?
In his book, Impossible People: Christian Courage and the Struggle for the Soul of Civilization, author Os Guinness(1) writes,
“In the golden era of the Roman Empire, Pliny the Younger advised Emperor Trajan that Christians should be executed solely for their tenacity and intransigence. ‘Whatever the nature of their admission, I am convinced that their stubbornness and unshakable obstinacy ought not to go unpunished.’”(2)
Christians in the early church confronted far more dire consequences than we do today in America - including instantaneous death or dismemberment for illegally proclaiming the gospel - yet they refused to stay silent and cower in fear! Instead, they became known as “impossible people” because of their courageous stand marked by what the world called “unshakable obstinacy.” We would be wise to draw inspiration from their strength for our current cultural moment!
Guinness accurately describes the typical mindset in some segments of today’s American populace by stating,
“Christians throughout the West often appear to be on the back foot. They have been told repeatedly that their prospects are hopeless. In a thousand withering dismissals, we have heard that we are fighting a losing battle and the game is already over. Christians are ‘yesterday’s faith,’ our day is done, our disagreements with others are a matter of bigotry, and we are reactionaries and on the ‘wrong side of history.’”(3)
We are constantly fed these lies by the world and sadly, sometimes even by leaders in the church. For years, countless books, articles, and speeches have stated that a “post-Christian” America is a fait accompli, and her eventual doom is imminent.
How did some in the church come to believe these lies? In my opinion, one of the main reasons is that we’ve had far too many preachers who promote either hopeless, defeatist theologies or comfort-driven lives of ease and self-aggrandizement. But instead of being lulled into complacency by these false messages, we are in desperate need of hearing a roar from the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, reawakening us to our holy calling as courageous Christians – those who will gladly stand resolutely for the glorious cause of Christ in the face of cultural decay.
To put it more succinctly, Guinness teaches us that,
“As salt and light in today’s extraordinary world, our contribution is indispensable. We are not simply guardians of some of the best of the past, but pioneers whose task is to stand against the world for the future of the world – and for the very sake of humanity.”(4)
This truth is echoed in eternity past by the Bible’s “Hall of Faith” heroes whose lives compel us to continued engagement by their incredible exploits. Allow these words from Hebrews 11:32-34 and 12:1-2 to permeate deep into your soul:
“And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets – who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight…Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”(5)
Overcoming evil by exhibiting Christian courage is not just in our historical spiritual DNA; it is our destiny and duty. Winston Churchill, a man whose leadership helped save what he called “Christian Civilization” from annihilation in the 20th century, may have put it best when he proclaimed the following to all freedom-loving people,
“When great causes are on the move in the world…we learn that we are spirits and not animals, and that something is going on in space and time, which, whether we like it or not, spells ‘duty.’”(6)
Brothers and sisters in Christ, a worldwide crisis is actually the greatest time to be alive, as we follow in the footsteps of the mighty men and women of the past who did their duty as courageous Christians!
John chapters 14-16 record Jesus’ exhortation to His disciples before He was betrayed and arrested. These were His final instructions to the men who were about to change the world in His name. He concludes by saying, “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”(7)
Today, I am calling upon my fellow Christians to respond courageously in the face of global uncertainty. In the midst of tribulation, we have a duty to set our hearts and minds on Christ, be continually filled with His peace, and then overcome the world through the quality of our lives and the fervency of our prayers. It is our great responsibility and calling to carry our nation and the nations of the world in intercession before the throne of heaven.
Pray with me:
Father, we join with the prayers of Your people across the globe. Give us renewed strength to act courageously in the face of so much uncertainty in the world. Fill us afresh with Your Spirit so we will resist the temptation to shrink back as the nations rage around us. Remind us who we are in Christ, and of the lineage of faith-filled heroes in our family tree. Embolden Your church to be courageous, manifesting our spiritual DNA as courageous overcomers.
Father, we acknowledge that the course laid out before us hasn’t changed, though the conditions have become uncomfortable. Therefore, fill us with a spirit of boldness as we set our faces toward the mark and run our race with endurance for the sake of humanity. Empower us to make this the church's finest hour!
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Our decree:
We decree that the church is rising up in fervent prayer to stand for Christ in our troubled world, for the future of the world!
Bio:
William J. Ostan is a medically retired U.S. Army Major and combat veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is the Founder and President of Arc of Justice, a nonprofit organization that advocates for wounded warriors still on active duty. Will is currently spearheading the Wounded Warrior Bill of Rights in Congress. I invite you to find out more about his story at WillOstan.com and ArcofJusticeUSA.org.
Click on the link below to watch the full video.
End Notes:
This post draws heavily from insights gleaned from Os Guinness’ books. In my opinion, he is one of the most important public intellectuals for the church today. He is extremely intelligent, humble, and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. I’ve found this to be a rare trifecta. Os still has a paradigm for the possibility of nationwide reformation through another Great Awakening. I highly recommend all his books, but especially Renaissance, Last Call for Liberty, The Magna Carta of Humanity, and Impossible People.
Os Guinness, Impossible People: Christian Courage and the Struggle for the Soul of Civilization (Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2016), 30. Quoting Robert Louis Wilken, The Christians as the Romans Saw Them (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1983), 23.
Guinness, Impossible People, 26.
Ibid., 27.
ESV.
Guinness, Impossible People, Quote Section.
John 16:33, ESV.