Courage is that firmness of spirit which meets danger head-on. It is an inner strength that deals with pain and difficult situations instead of withdrawing from them. It is a quality that releases a brave response to face life’s challenges with perseverance and fortitude. Courage is a fearless attitude which produces the power to resist the attacks of negative forces in life. My father says, “I don’t panic on the inside because of pressure on the outside, because there is a Person alongside, and a Presence and power within.”
Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the ability to face fear. It takes dominion over fear by refusing to be intimidated. Courage begins with a choice. You can be fearful or courageous. Choose to exercise your faith and courage will emerge.
Joshua 1:6, 7,9,18 Four times in the same chapter it says,
“Be strong and courageous.”
Practical Application and Assignments:
Perhaps one of the greatest stories ever written about courage is the story of David and Goliath. The scene takes place on the battlefield. A shepherd boy named David is sent by his father to deliver food to his older brothers. When he arrives he finds the Israelite army hiding from a nine foot giant named Goliath who was challenging them to a duel. David was fearless. You know the ending. Without armor or sword, he took five stones and a slingshot and killed the giant. His courage was connected to his statement, “I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts!” 1 Samuel 17:45
- Study the life of David. We can learn from both his failures and his victories. Discover what made him courageous.
- Identify and list your fears. Most of the things we fear never come to pass. One acronym for FEAR is: “False Evidence Appearing Real.”
- Make this declaration: I refuse to allow fear to dominate me! Feed your faith, starve your doubts, and fear will disappear.
“Be strong, courageous, and firm; fear not nor be in terror…for it is the Lord your God who goes with you…” Deuteronomy 31:6 (AMP)
