‘Courage is not the lack of fear but the ability to face it’Lt. John B. Putnam, Jr. is credited for the saying. Putnam, a highly decorated member of the US Air Force, is best known for his military record during World War II. He died while in service to his country when his plane crashed on July 19, 1944. He was 23 years old.
What Does The Bible Say About Courage?
It teaches that we become courageous from doing right
1 Chronicles 22:13“Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the LORD charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed”.When we have done right, then we do not have a nagging or guilty conscience in the back of our head saying that we deserve to fail or deserve some punishment. How can you be courageous when you are thinking in the back of your head, calamity or disaster is what I deserve?
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It teaches that courageous strength comes from waiting on God
Psalm 27:14“Wait on the LORD;Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!”To wait on the Lord does not mean to sit and do nothing, but instead to put your faith in God being able to take care of this matter. To wait on God is to find out what His plan is for the situation.
It teaches that courage comes from hope in the Lord
Psalm 31:24“Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.”This is very similar to waiting on the Lord. Are you looking for the answer to your problem? It also teaches that courage comes not from looking at the problem, but from the one who can solve the problem.
The Bible teaches that courage comes from having people around us that encourage us
Isaiah 41:6“Everyone helped his neighbor, And said to his brother, “ Be of good courage!”The word encourage means to fill someone with courage. To open them up and pour it into their heart. What type of people do you have around you? Cynical and pessimistic people will drain you of your courage, but confident and faith-filled people will encourage you. Acts 28:15
“And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.”
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Most importantly, fearlessness and bravery come from God
The Bible teaches that we are to take courage from the fact that He never leaves us or forsakes us. Deuteronomy 31:6“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”He is there for the asking. You are not alone. All you have to have is a relationship with Him! Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”With God, you can face your fear. You are not alone. You have someone who is a whole lot bigger than you that can take care of the problem.
Final Thoughts On Being Courageous
I leave you with this scripture. If this does not make you feel more courageous then I do not know what will. Romans 8:31[ God’s Everlasting Love ] “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”Do you know that God is for you?
