Courage

Courage is the quality shown by someone who decides to do something difficult or dangerous, even though they may feel afraid. (Collins English Thesaurus).

For some, courage comes naturally. For others, it just takes a bit of hard work. However, for the majority of us, it is a leap of faith shadowed by fear and trembling.

The picture above captured my attention the moment I saw it because I see it represents you and I in times of needing to exert more of a ‘true grit’ courage. During times that require us to push through, particularly in hard seasons, we have to make the choice to not remain defeated or let things wash us away. Instead, we must make the decision to rise up and face them head on.

I remember when I was first learning a foreign language I wanted to give up on many occasions. I made lots of excuses to not continue. Not only were the words different, but it was a tonal language also. Many of the words were strange sounding to a native English speaker, then add to the them inflections, and you could be caught saying something completely different. For example, the words heart and purple sound the same to a foreigner who is just starting out on their learning journey. If you don’t put the effort in to saying them correctly you could be telling people that you had just had a purple operation. It sounds funny doesn’t it, but there is nothing more frustrating than not being able to get your message across. I remember coming away from those lessons feeling defeated. Will I ever get this language? My tongue would even hurt because of the new muscles being used. It wouldn’t be too long before my self-talk would then kick in; ‘It is too difficult. It is too much work. It is too time consuming. I don’t like doing this’. However, what drove me to courageously try again, learn again, throw myself into that unfamiliar space again, even at the expense of being misunderstood by the local people or laughed at in my attempt to get the pronunciation correct, was the greater desire and longing to connect with the local people beyond surface level.  

Although this is just a simple example of courage and more of a ‘hard work’ courage than the ‘true grit’ kind of courage I mentioned before, the same principle applies. When we have a goal, a dream or a vision in our heart, what drives us, motivates us and consumes us to keep going, will be the end goal of that purpose. For me, it was to communicate with the local people so I would get to know them at a deeper level and build relationships with them. What is it for you?

If we want something desperately enough, we will choose to keep moving towards our goal. If we fall, we will determine in our spirit that we will get back up again, even if we fall numerous times, because no matter how long it takes, how many obstacles get in our way, courage says we will get there in the end. .

Your mountain may look high from where you are standing right now, but with God on your side, courage and determination in your spirit, taking one step at a time, you will reach the top. The key is not giving up. The reward is seeing your goal achieved. 

Let me encourage you. If you fall, get up again. If your efforts fail, don’t beat yourself up, but instead, tell yourself, ‘I am not a failure’, and move on. If you make a wrong turn, check the map and change direction. If you feel like giving up, tell yourself. ‘I have courage to go the distance’, then look up and keep climbing.

You were created for courage.

‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.’ Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. Philippians 4:13 (GNT)

Deb