If we consider all the things we could be afraid of, we can quickly see why don’t be afraid, in one form or another, is one of the most repeated commands in Scripture. Put positively, God calls us to “be strong and of good courage” (Daniel 10:19).
But how can we become courageous?
Fear is often our natural response. We don’t have to think of all our reasons to be afraid; fear comes unbidden. But being strong and courageous doesn’t come naturally. Often, we have to think through different reasons why we ought to overcome our fears with courage. God calls us to take courage because it doesn’t just come naturally; we have to fight for it. Confronted with fears on every side and even from within, courage must be seized.
So let’s talk courage from a biblical view point. Scripture is full of men and women of remarkable courage. In fact, I sure wish that I would have had the courage that many in the Bible showed.
Abraham is a man who showed courage in obeying God’s directive to leave Haran for a land he would show him (Genesis 12:1). He left all that he knew, “and he went out, not knowing where he was going” I don’t know about you but when I think about Abraham, at that point, he didn’t yet know God as He would later. Yet, Abraham believe God and did as He said to do. (Hebrews 11:8). Later, he shows more strength on the side of Mount Moriah as he obediently prepares to sacrifice his only son, the son of God’s promise. I again, don’t know that if I lived back then if I would have been courageous like Abraham was in believing God to go and sacrifice my child. We know so much more about God and His word now and we have a Bible we can go to and see what happened back then, what will happen so we can make a choice by the word of God, yet Abraham didn’t have that yet he believed God and believed that even if he sacrificed his son that God would somehow raise him up. That is faith! (Genesis 22; Hebrews 11:17–19).
“Courage is always an act of faith, because the courageous person acts on what he believes despite the threat.”
Jacob showed courage while facing a brother who had vowed to kill him (Genesis 32–33). What Jacob did was wrong in deceiving his dad and his brother, yet God took that situation even and turned it around in God’s timing.
Joseph displayed courage while enduring prison for a false charge (Genesis 39–40), then facing Pharaoh who wanted him to interpret his dreams (Genesis 41).Joseph had dreams/visions when he was young and he told his brothers and his dad. His brothers hated him and were jealous of him. They sold him and he lost, at that time, all he knew and loved. Yet, Joseph never stopped loving God and honoring God by what he did in life. God used Jospeh to save a lot of people and Joseph had become very powerful.
Then there’s Moses who repeatedly faced a hostile Pharaoh (Exodus 5–12) and later led the newly-liberated Hebrews through the Red Sea “as on dry land” (Hebrews 11:29). God greatly used Moses to bring about leading His people out of Egypt and getting them to the promise land.
There’s Joshua leading one military campaign after another against entrenched foes. He had great courage.
There’s Rahab risking everything on Yahweh being the true God (Hebrews 11:31). She trusted what God said and was courageous in doing so.
There’s Gideon facing an overwhelming Midianite army (Judges 7).
There’s David facing an overwhelming Goliath (1 Samuel 17). What a sight that must have been. An entire Army feared the giant, and here comes young David who goes out to face the giant with a slingshot and a few rocks.
There’s Esther facing a royal husband with the power and proven precedent of punishing a queen unwilling to follow protocol. I am not sure that any of us would have the courage that she showed in the situation. Had she not stood up the people would have died. (Esther 4:13–5:2).
There’s Daniel facing a den of lions (Daniel 6). Daniel stood for right even in the midst of the world’s ways.
I saw this next part and totally agree with it: Then there’s Jesus, who faced a terrible force far greater than all of the dangers above combined, indeed greater than all of the combined mortal dangers ever faced by every person who has ever lived: the wrath of God against the sin of mankind (Romans 1:18). For him to live with the knowledge of this approaching event (John 12:27), to deliberately walk into it (Luke 9:51), and to willingly and faithfully endure its horrors (Hebrews 12:2), even when he had the power to stop it at any moment (Matthew 26:53), required unfathomable courage.
These are just a few of the courageous people that lived in bible days, and their stories should encourage each and every one of us to stand up and go forward no matter what we see in this world. They took the action they believed was right, despite the fear they experienced at the thought of taking it. Fear can harm us for sure, but there is fear that pushes that button in us that makes us go forward and do right no matter what we face or see.
We need courage in our life. We get that by faith and what we believe is right, honest, moral, and godly. Threats come to people every day and the world is pretty darn evil now. We must stand on God’s word, do as He says in His word no matter what we must face in life.
Let Your Heart Take Courage
Since courage is fueled by faith, and faith is believing God’s promises because we can and should believe all God tells us. Grab those promises of God for your life…but as you do…ask yourself if that promise you want to claim has nothing you must do, or if it has a clause where you must do something or not do something to claim it. Which ever it might be to grab that promise…do your part!
Daily go to God and study His word. Get encouragement from the word of God and always choose to do what God wants you to do. God keeps His promises but mankind doesn’t do so well on this topic. Pled God to help you live right and have the courage to do His will no matter what you feel or see. Take ahold of the truth of God’s word and every day of your life apply His word to your life.
Here are some scriptures that might give you encouragement.
Scripture Quotes About Courage
David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 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.”
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
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.
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 I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God, I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.
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.” So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own.”
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. “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.
They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
Christian Quotes About Courage
“The remedy for discouragement is the Word of God. When you feed your heart and mind with its truth, you regain your perspective and find renewed strength.” ~ Warren Wiersbe
“Honest and courageous people have very little to say about either their courage or their honesty.” ~ Hosea Ballou
“Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” ~ Billy Graham
“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” ~ Mother Teresa
“Today is what the Lord has prepared you for.” ~ Mark Dever
“The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, ‘O God, forgive me,’ or ‘Help me.'” ~ Billy Graham
“I would go to the deeps a hundred times to cheer a downcast spirit. It is good for me to have been afflicted, that I might know how to speak a word in season to one that is weary.” ~ Charles Spurgeon
“Discernment is God’s call to intercession, never to faultfinding.” ~ Corrie Ten Boom
“Nothing but encouragement can come to us as we dwell upon the faithful dealing of our Heavenly Father in centuries gone by. Faith in God has not saved people from hardships and trials, but it has enabled them to bear tribulations courageously and to emerge victoriously.” ~ Lee Roberson
“Never let us be discouraged with ourselves. It is not when we are conscious of our faults that we are the most wicked; on the contrary, we are less so. We see by a brighter light; and let us remember for our consolation, that we never perceive our sins till we begin to cure them.” ~ Francois Fenelon
There is much on this lesson I did not write, but felt you needed to read it as well. May it greatly bless you.
Now may God bless you, guide you, protect you, draw you to Him, and give you His peace.
God bless you.