“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.” Psalm 31: 24
“Each one helps the other, saying to one another, ‘Take courage!’ “Isaiah 41: 6
“I have said this to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution, but take courage: I have conquered the world!” Matthew 14: 27
“I have said this to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution, but take courage: I have conquered the world!” John 16: 33
Courage is my word of the year and the Bible has lots to say about having courage and as you can read above for us to “take courage.” This got me to wondering: how do we go about taking courage in the first place? What does that even look like?
Taking courage sounds like courage is something right in front of us, readily available. All this time I thought courage was a characteristic I had to muster up from some place deep inside of me and man, most days I couldn’t find it. Often, I felt courage deficient. A virtue I had to develop. A personality trait I wasn’t born with. So is my belief wrong? God in his wonderful mercy and love providing me/us with abundant source of courage for us for the taking? That could be a powerful new image!
Courage comes from God.
Taking courage is acknowledging all gifts come from God. My ego struggles letting go of human control and independence and this continues to be a lifelong battle of wills. But each day I bow before God, surrender my heart and ask for forgiveness, mercy, grace and love.
Courage is a gift from God.
A gift that requires some action on my part. I need to reach out and take this gift. First letting go of fear, control, and my expectations so my hands are free, empty and open to receive this gift. I now can receive. Taking courage isn’t as much an emotion as an action as surrendering and stepping out in faith. I let go of fear and take hold of courage.
Courage is a gift from God. A gift present now and in our hearts. I just never realized before courage was already here and available. All I had to do was to reach out and take it. Amazing. Amazing new lesson about courage from an amazing God!
I love every post you share about courage, Jean. You have given us so many wonderful insights. This one feels so encouraging to me because I’ve often felt like courage is something I have to muster up from scratch, which feels too hard! ha.
Thanks to YOUR encouragement, Lisa. I find if I keep my work front and center, then the word stays active and reveals more wisdom in the most exciting places. Just this morning I listened to a podcast there the two speakers discussed varying topics, then unexpectedly veered into who courage was needed… man did I perk up and took notes. yep, next blog post….
I agree, courage is a gift from God. I believe that He also gives it to non-believers in order to draw them to Himself.
Stopping by from the July One Word Link-up.
very good point that God gives this gift to others too. I like that perspective!
It’s so encouraging to remember that courage is always available, always extended as a gift from God. I just have to take it!
I know Michelle, isn’t it neat to hold the image that courage is there we just have to reach out and take it!!!
Thank you for sharing the insights you’re learning about courage. I agree, it must begin with surrender–letting go of fear, control, and expectations so our hands are free, empty, and open to receive this gift. And we step out in faith. Lord, help me embrace the courage you have for me and experience the Christian life as a bold adventure with you! (Thank you again, Jean!)
Thank you for your words of encouragement, Nancy. Letting go and being empty brings on emotions of vulnerability and uncertainty and learning to live with those feelings is uncomfortable and does take courage and something I am learning!