Discovering the Source of True Courage: Cultivating Faith and Trust in God

Discovering the Source of True Courage

Courage is a rare quality that we all desire. It is the ability to face fear or danger without giving in to it. It is the power to overcome a challenge that seems insurmountable. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act in the face of fear.

As we go through life, we encounter many situations that require courage. It takes courage to stand up for what we believe in, to speak the truth even when it is unpopular, to face an illness or a difficult life circumstance, to take a risk in business or a relationship, to forgive someone who has hurt us deeply, or to love sacrificially.

Where does real courage come from? How do we find the strength to face our fears? How do we become the kind of people who are brave in the face of adversity?

Myths About Courage

Before we delve into the source of true courage, let's dispel some common myths about courage:

Myth #1: Courage is the Absence of Fear

Many people think that courage means being fearless, but that is not true. Everyone experiences fear at some point in their lives. Fear is a natural response to danger or uncertainty. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act in spite of it.

Myth #2: Courage is a Natural Trait of Some People

Some people believe that courage is an inborn trait that some people possess and others do not. But that is not true either. Courage is a quality that can be developed and cultivated over time. It is a choice that we make to face our fears and overcome them.

Myth #3: Courage is a Matter of Willpower

Some people think that courage is simply a matter of willpower. They believe that if they just try harder or push themselves harder, they will become brave. But courage is more than just willpower. It is a matter of character, faith, and trust.

The Source of True Courage

So, where does real courage come from? The Bible tells us that true courage comes from the Lord. In fact, the word courage comes from the Latin word cor, which means heart. Courage is a matter of the heart.

The Bible is full of stories of people who demonstrated great courage. One of the most famous stories is that of David and Goliath. Goliath was a giant Philistine warrior who taunted the Israelite army for forty days. No one dared to face him in battle until a young shepherd boy named David stepped forward.

David did not have military training or experience, but he had something more important - faith in God. When he faced Goliath, he declared, "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied" (1 Samuel 17:45).

David's courage did not come from his own strength or abilities. It came from his trust in God. He knew that God was with him and that he could rely on God's power to defeat his enemy.

David is not the only example of a person who demonstrated great courage because of his faith in God. The Bible is full of stories of ordinary people who did extraordinary things because of their trust in God. Here are just a few examples:

1. Moses

Moses was a Hebrew baby who was saved from death by Pharaoh's daughter. He grew up in the palace as an Egyptian prince, but he never forgot his roots. One day, he witnessed an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave, and he killed the Egyptian. When Pharaoh found out, he wanted to kill Moses, so Moses fled to the wilderness.

Years later, God called Moses to return to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of slavery. Moses was afraid and felt unqualified for the job, but he trusted in God's power and obeyed his call. He faced Pharaoh, the most powerful man in the world, and demanded that he release the Israelites. He led the Israelites through the Red Sea and into the wilderness, where they wandered for forty years.

2. Esther

Esther was a Jewish woman who became queen of Persia during the reign of King Xerxes. When the king's advisor, Haman, plotted to kill all the Jews in the kingdom, Esther risked her life to plead with the king for mercy. She knew that if she approached the king without being summoned, she could be put to death. But she also knew that God had put her in that position for a reason, and that she had to act courageously.

Esther fasted and prayed for three days before approaching the king. When she did, he granted her request and spared the lives of the Jews. Esther's courage saved her people from destruction.

3. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were three Jewish men who refused to bow down to the statue of King Nebuchadnezzar. They knew that if they disobeyed the king's command, they would be thrown into a fiery furnace. But they also knew that their God was more powerful than any earthly ruler.

When they were thrown into the furnace, they did not burn up. Instead, they walked around in the midst of the flames, unharmed. Nebuchadnezzar was amazed and declared, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God" (Daniel 3:28).

Cultivating True Courage

So, how do we cultivate true courage in our own lives? Here are some practical steps:

1. Know God

The first step in cultivating true courage is to know God. We cannot trust someone we do not know. We need to spend time reading the Bible, praying, and worshiping God. We need to learn about his character and his promises. When we know God, we can trust him to give us the courage we need.

2. Trust God's Power

The second step in cultivating true courage is to trust God's power. We need to remember that God is all-powerful and that nothing is impossible for him. When we face a difficult challenge, we need to trust that God is with us and that he will give us the strength we need to overcome it.

3. Obey God's Call

The third step in cultivating true courage is to obey God's call. God may call us to do something that seems impossible or scary. But if we trust him and obey his call, he will give us the courage we need to accomplish his purpose.

4. Surround Yourself with Supportive People

The fourth step in cultivating true courage is to surround yourself with supportive people. We need friends and family who will encourage us, pray for us, and hold us accountable. We need to be part of a community of believers who will help us grow in faith and courage.

5. Practice Courage

The fifth step in cultivating true courage is to practice courage. We need to take small steps of faith and courage every day. We need to face our fears and take risks. We need to speak the truth, love sacrificially, and forgive those who have hurt us. As we practice courage, we will become more confident in our ability to face challenges.

Conclusion

True courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act in the face of fear. It comes from knowing God, trusting his power, obeying his call, surrounding ourselves with supportive people, and practicing courage. When we cultivate true courage, we become the kind of people who can face any challenge with confidence and trust in God's power.

So, let us be like David, Moses, Esther, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who demonstrated great courage because of their faith in God. Let us trust in God's power to overcome our fears and challenges. Let us obey his call to live courageously and make a difference in the world.