I love this word because it inspires and motivates. When I think of courage I think of the men and women who serve in our military. They leave all the comforts of home and family and put themselves in harm’s way to defend the weak, free the oppressed or help those suffering from catastrophes. I think of the courage it takes for the person who becomes disabled due to serving in our military.
I also think of the courage it takes for a mother or father when their child is fighting for their life with a disease, or the person who hears a negative report from their physician about a medical test. It takes courage to have an opinion about something that differs from your peers or mainstream thinking. It takes courage to tell the truth when your boss instructs you to lie. It takes courage to admit you’ve made a mistake and need to apologize. It takes courage to accept a person’s childhood that was less than perfect and move on. It takes courage to realize you have alcohol or drug dependencies and need help. It takes courage to be responsible sometimes. Life is full of challenges; it takes courage to deal with its ups and downs. It takes courage to stand up for important values that you hold dear.
In the Bible we read in Joshua 1:9, “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 was asked by God to lead the children of Israel. The children of Israel were a divided people who complained and were very difficult to manage. The previous leader was Moses, and Joshua was one of his subordinates. He worked with Moses for years and understood the difficulties Moses dealt with and the huge task before him, the magnitude of the job and his future responsibilities. He feared failure, rejection, exhaustion and for his life. He was reminded, as we are, of a commandment from God: “Be Strong and Courageous.”
Joshua’s first task as the new leader of Israel was to cross the Jordan River at flood stage and conquer a well-built fortress called Jericho. This was a huge, overwhelming task and battle, but Joshua heard God’s words “Be Strong and Courageous” and stepped up to the task at hand. He led the children of Israel, the Bible says the water actually parted and they crossed the Jordan, walking on the river’s dry ground, when, the Bible says, the river’s waters parted. Joshua and the Israelites then circled Jericho once a day blowing rams’ horns for six days. Then on the seventh day, they circled the fortress seven times, blew their horns and shouted and the walls of Jericho collapsed. The people inside surrendered, giving the children of Israel a conclusive victory and increasing their faith in God and His appointed leader, Joshua.
Here are courage boosters to help give you strength:
Proverbs 28:1— “The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
Psalm 34:4— “I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 27:1-3— “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.”
Remember what God said in Joshua 1:9: “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.”
