Courage
February 17, 2024 — Laura House
I’m often curious to note how Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines a particular word. In this case, it’s the word “courage.” According to the dictionary, courage is defined as “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” Considering that description, courage is certainly something I would hope for all of us to have in abundance.
Interestingly though, the dictionary definition doesn’t give an indication of “how” someone acquires courage, and that started me thinking.
After Nathan died, every activity of daily life took courage — going to work, grocery shopping, cooking dinner, driving, and pretty much every other task that had once been so simple. Fulfilling mundane responsibilities felt like climbing Mt. Everest. I needed courage to simply breathe, get up each morning, and put “one foot in front of the other.”
Then there were other things that needed much more courage, like opening Nathan’s mail and finding a bill from his cell phone company. He was all paid up before leaving us, but now it was unpaid and left to me to call, explain, and turn off the phone. Every account for his small business, email accounts, magazine subscriptions, bank accounts, etc. needed attention and involved painful conversations. Acquiring notarized copies of the death certificate that was required to close some accounts took more courage than I would have ever thought I could muster. The list goes on and on.
Where did that courage come from?
If you Google “how to build courage,” you’ll find a host of fascinating articles full of advice. Reading through them, I see many practical ideas that can be useful to someone’s life, but all of the ideas center around a person solely relying on themselves to build courage. They do certain things to develop courage and then dig deep inside of themselves to find it when needed. It’s all up to them.
But as I reflect on those first few months after Nathan died and the extraordinary courage that was needed, I am certain that none of that courage came from within me.
I have discovered that for a believer, there is an infinite measure of courage available and accessed by doing just one thing — truly trusting Jesus. When we trust Him, truly trust Him with our lives and we rest in the knowledge that He is in control, we discover that we have the courage we need. What does that mean to us on a practical day-to-day level? It means that we don’t have to “work hard and dig deep inside ourselves” to find courage. Courage is a by-product of trusting Jesus.
Because we all live on earth, in a fallen world, we will face suffering that we need courage to navigate. So the need to learn to trust Jesus is imperative for all believers. How can we deepen our trust?
First, you may have heard it said a million times and it might even sound cliche’, but it’s the greatest reality for a believer. Nothing is more powerful than the Word of God. Spend time in the Bible. It has the power to teach us truth, give us peace and hope, and draw us into a deeper intimacy with God. If reading is difficult, try listening to a Bible app or recordings on YouTube. Turn on an audio reading when you are washing dishes, out for a walk, driving, etc. When you become intentional about this, you will be surprised at how many opportunities there are in a single day to fill your mind and heart with the Word of God. Did you know that there are also musical renditions of Scripture that are verbatim? While you enjoy the music, you are meditating on and memorizing Scripture.
At a recent Our Hearts Are Home event, a parent shared that after the loss of their child, they wrote Bible verses on 3x5 cards and placed them all over the house. Everywhere this bereaved mom turned, she was reminded of truth.
Next, communicate with God through prayer. If you are facing suffering today, learn how to lament. It is a powerful form of prayer. Watch this video of Mark Vroegop. He defines lament as a “prayer in pain that leads to trust.” It’s exactly what we need when we are walking through trials and tribulations. As we spend time talking to God, we develop a deeper intimacy with Him, which in turn deepens our trust, which produces the courage we need.
Finally, spend time with others who are trusting Jesus through difficult circumstances. Being with them will encourage you to deepen your own trust, and their faith will help bolster yours.
Are you seeking courage to face the grief of losing someone you love? Trust Jesus.
Are you facing uncertainty in an area of your life and you need courage? Trust Jesus.
Are you engaged in a battle that is all-consuming and you need courage to keep fighting? Trust Jesus.
When you determine to deepen your trust in Him, the courage you need will well up inside of you, bursting forth to help you at just the moment you need it.
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Are you planning to fill 3x5 cards with scriptures? Here are some incredible verses to get you started.
Deuteronomy 31:8 — “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
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.”
Hebrews 4:16 — “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Isaiah 12:2 — “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 41:10 — “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Psalms 9:10 — ”Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
John 14:27 — “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Philippians 4:6-7 — “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
