“He gives power to the faint and to him who has no might he increases strength.” (Isaiah 40:29)

Constant infusions of courage are critical to navigate a scary new stage of life, pursue a dream you’ve been clinging to for years, or make it through a personal challenge that is harder than anything you have faced before. And yet this courage might be as elusive as a flickering candle which gusts of self-doubt and fear shamelessly blow out. It’s enough to make you want to curl up and hide away from it all.

Courage isn’t something we summon up on our own. In some remarkable way it is a gift freely given by God who knows us precisely and who has the contours of our journeys etched in the palm of his hands. He stands ready to infuse us with his unwavering Spirit to give us a resolute heart and sufficient portions of his strength for right there, right now.

In 2 Timothy 1:7, the apostle Paul reminds us, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” This is the courage that comes from Christ – not a superficial bravado, but a deep-seated confidence that transcends our circumstances. It is the courage to face the unknown or venture into unfamiliar territory because our Savior walks with us and is always altogether enough.

Perhaps you find yourself at a crossroads, paralyzed by the weight of a decision that could alter the course of your life. Or maybe you’re staring down a challenge that seems insurmountable, like some preposterous mountain that’s too rugged to climb. God addressed Joshua’s timid heart when he was becoming the leader at a critical time in Israel’s history. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Words to reinforce our apprehensive hearts, too.

Courage is the willingness to move forward in spite of that boulder lodged in our stomach and the dread in our heart. It is the determination to keep pressing on, even when the path ahead looks dim from our vantage point at present.

The men and women throughout Scripture left us a courageous trail to follow. They faced daunting situations that demanded courage, too. Young David bravely strode onto the battlefield to confront the towering giant Goliath, his eyes fixed not on the size of his foe but on the magnificence of his God. Esther bravely faced the possible wrath of the king in order to rescue her people from annihilation. Abraham needed resolute courage on the way up that mountain to sacrifice Isaac as God had demanded. 

Courage is not optional, not a nice-to-have ingredient we sprinkle on occasionally. It is an essential, non-negotiable quality we must cultivate. It is poured out from the limitless reserves of our mighty God as we root ourselves firmly in the truth of his Word and allow the sturdiness of his promises to fortify our souls.  

The rewards of walking in this God-given courage are so worthwhile. When we refuse to be paralyzed by fear and boldly step out to do what is hard, we will discover a peace that we can’t even describe and a joy that springs up inside us that nothing can extinguish.

All of it sourced in the peace and joy of Christ who bravely endured the cross for us.

Elizabeth A Mitchell

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