Courage
Have you had times where you utterly failed to stand firm on the strength of your convictions? Your intense desire to do what is right or follow through on a promise can suddenly utterly wither in the face of intimidation, fear and your own rationalizations. You may need to build up courage.
Courage is the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc. Courage is not the opposite of fear. However, courage is always challenged by fear, such as facing the unknown, intimidation, disapproval, pain, financial constraints and death. That means that courage is a decision to act despite natural limitations and fear of the unknown. It confronts fear head on and says: “Move over; I can do it!” In order for courage to operate, faith must be in operation.
Whenever the word courage is mentioned you may think of heroes with supernatural strength of faith, emotion and fortitude. You, on the other hand, may be battling exhaustion, pain or anguish about what lies ahead. It may take a tremendous act of courage to get out of bed and battle the day at hand.
Courage: 7 Steps
Whatever situation you are facing, here are seven steps to build up courage:
1. Thank You Lord
Thank the Lord daily for always being with you, and even having you engraved on the palms of His hands! (Isa. 49: 16)
2. Encourage Yourself
Encourage yourself that indeed you can do all things through Him because He will be your strength! (Phil. 4: 13)
3. Holy Spirit
You are equipped with the Holy Spirit, who is your peace, your helper and your guide. Talk to Him. He is a person and will give you wisdom and put praise on your lips.
4. Strength and Help
The Lord has promised that He will strengthen and help you, and uphold you with the right hand of His righteousness. (Isa. 41: 10) Thank Him and give Him all your fears.
5. Comforted
Be comforted by the fact that Jesus battled all the same temptations, fears and dangers that you are going through. He is filled with compassion for your pain and struggles, and able to help you. (Heb. 2: 18) Give Him your burdens.
6. God’s Strength
Don’t try to manufacture courage in your own strength. When you are weak, then He is strong – and He will get the glory! Encourage yourself out loud with the words: “Let the weak say I am strong.” (Joel 3: 10)
7. Psalm 91
Personalize and say out loud Psalm 91. The secret to build up courage is in the first line: “He that is in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”
Develop a close relationship with Him by talking with Him (not just to Him) and thanking Him daily for all His benefits. Open the Word daily and meditate on it. Personalize Psalm 91 by inserting “me” for “thee” in every line where it’s appropriate, such as: “Surely He shall deliver me.” I guarantee that soon you will find faith welling up on the inside and courage flowing out!
Ann Stewart writes inspirational articles that send readers to Jesus. Author of With Wings As Eagles, a testimony of living a life of abundance and miracles.
Ann’s articles first appeared on Christian Article Bank (No longer active) in May of 2006.
