Courage

Someone very close to me wrote a great talk that they'll be giving very soon, all about courage. I thought I'd share it on here, as I don't think they'll mind at all (all credit to them and God though, not me!)

(I don't remember it exactly, but this is roughly it:)

Struggling with fear and courage

People struggle with fear in many different ways. It could be anything from stepping out the door to whatever you can imagine.

Now there's a difference between courage and confidence, the dictionary definition of courage is, "the ability to do something that frightens one".

Courage is not without fear, it is inherently linked to fear. Which is itself encouraging, as it means that those who fear can still be courageous.

But what does the Bible have to say about courage? 

Joshua 1:9 says, "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.”"

It may seem at first a bit tight of God, commanding Joshua to be courageous in the face of great problems and fears, without explaining a step by step method to be courageous. God doesn't seem to give him courage on a plate, but rather an opportunity to be courageous.

And not just that but He promises to be with Joshua always, wherever he goes.

Also check out Isaiah 43:2:
"When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze."

What does this mean for us?

It's ok to be afraid, and it's ok to admit it. We need to trust in God more, take courage from Him and see opportunities for courage out of situations of fear.

The person who did this gave the great analogy of a story from when they were very young and wanted to join with their older siblings playing in the sea at the beach, but every time they went to join them a wave came which seemed really big, so they ran back terrified, but looking back saw that the wave was only really small. In the same way problems can seem massive to us, but in hindsight, or from God's perspective, we can see how small they really are compared to Him.

Where do you struggle with fear? Where can you be more courageous in and through God?