You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along. – Eleanor Roosevelt.
A heart filled with courage possess those qualities that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, disappointment, despair, death, and whatever else life throws at them.
Courage is putting our faith in action. To have courage is to act in accordance with our beliefs. If we say we believe in something we should be able to stand for that belief no matter what comes at us. And when I’m talking about courage, I’m not talking about superhero stuff, but rather courage to face life’s everyday challenges. It’s these choices that show if we’re courageous or cowards. It’s choosing between what is right and what is convenient. It’s choosing our convictions over comfort.
Several times the Lord had to say to Joshua, be strong and courageous. It would seem that the Lord was seeing a fear within Joshua. In Joshua 1:9 the Lord said, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Speaking of courage John Wayne said, “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”
A courageous heart is therefore a faithful heart, because when we are faithful to his calling then there will be harmony in the church and in God’s kingdom here on earth. We therefore need to be faithful in whatever God’s calling may be.
If our trust is in God, no matter what the circumstances may be, then God will give us supernatural courage to face and overcome it. Today, however, many find a compromise more to their liking. It takes courage to make a difference, be of good courage anyhow.
God has not given to us such a fearful spirit, but rather a mind that is sound, a heart that is filled with love, and a power to face our fears. 2 Timothy 1:7
Written by Dr Charisse le Roux