Hello lovelies!! We have entered the season of SPRING!! Everything is blooming, growing, and beautiful! I pray that you all are doing well and continuing to stay safe! This month we are talking about courage. This post has been a looooong time coming! I believe that this was an original topic that God gave me before I started the blog, but I have struggled with fear for so long, I was very doubtful that I would be able to actually speak on it. There have been so many instances over the past few years,and especially the last few months, where I have surprised myself by the level of courage I have been able to exhibit. I am so happy that I no longer feel the timidity that I once held on to for so long. Now this doesn’t mean that I don’t still have battles with fear and doubt, but I have decided to follow courage. Let’s talk about it my loves!
You know I love definitions! I found a few definitions of courage that I would like to share. Courage means “not deterred by danger or pain; brave, facing situations despite fear.” Another definition is “mental or moral strength to venture persevere, withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” There is a commonality in these definitions, in that there is not an absence of fear. Nelson Mandela said, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” One of the definitions says that it takes mental and moral strength to have courage. I believe this is 100% true. Most of the time it is simply our minds deceiving us that we cannot do a thing that we are fully capable of doing. I have two stories to share with you about that.
When thinking about how to articulate this topic, I thought about Biblical references, but I also thought about a more practical reference as well. Y’all remember the Little Engine That Could? That was the first story I remembered from childhood. There were many capable trains that came along and would not help that little train go over the hill, but the most unlikely train offered to help. The train kept saying “I think I can” until he was able to pull the train over the hill. Then he said “I thought I could!!” This story hits different as an adult. Yes, I read it online! That unlikely candidate used his courage to get the other train where they needed to be. Did you catch that in your spirit? Sometimes we have to be practical and just talk ourselves through the moments we feel that we cannot achieve a thing. Even if you have to say “I think I can”, you will soon be saying “I thought I could” in the end!
The second story I thought about was Gideon. This story is found in Judges 6 in the Bible. An angel was sent to tell Gideon that he was a mighty man of valor. Valor means strong and courageous, especially in battle. Gideon was like “Nah, you got the wrong dude.” God had given Gideon an assignment, but he was so unsure that he kept asking God for a sign. I mean MULTIPLE times. I am honestly surprised that God went along with that so many times. But isn’t that like us? When we are given an assignment, we want God to make a tree move two inches to the right just to make sure we heard him correctly! We do the most. That is to hide our fears and insecurities of pursuing that thing. We procrastinate by saying things like “I’m still praying about it.” You don’t have to tell me, I know! I have done it, and I am doing it now about one particular thing to be honest. But we have to understand that if God presented us with something, He trusts us enough to pursue and handle it. Isn’t it a beautiful thing to know that you are trusted by God???!!!
The Bible mentions courage 114 times! God has more than assured us that we have the power to be courageous about the assignments he has given us, but also about the things that concern us. We have to be courageous in order to have certain conversations, lead in our various platforms, try new things, and it takes courage to follow our passions and dreams in life. Joshua 1:9 (AMP) says “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Also 2nd Timothy 1:17 (NLT) says “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” This let’s us know that fear does not come from God, but courage does. The definition of fear is “the presence or anticipation of danger. It implies anxiety and USUALLY THE LOSS OF COURAGE.” Well look at that! John 16:33 (AMP) says “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]” When we have a loss of courage, we have to be confident that we came from the overcomer!
Fear is a natural emotion. We all feel it at some point, we see it manifest in many stories in the Bible. We just have to be able to quickly cast those thoughts away as they are not of God. We have to trust in the fact that we have been equipped to be strong and courageous in Him. God has given us the tools to do what He has called us to do for Him and in the earth, it is up to us to go back to Him, relinquish our control, and draw from His strength. His strength is perfect.
So what are you afraid of? What is it that you need to gather up the courage to do or say? Sometimes we need the courage to say no to a thing. Saying no to something we know is not conducive to our purpose or path, saying no to a toxic relationship or friendship, or telling our flesh no takes real courage. Think about it, journal about it, share it with a friend or family member so that they can hold you accountable. We are more than capable of overcoming obstacles, moving mountains, breaking down walls and generational curses, and shattering glass ceilings. God has called us to do all the things! We are already victorious though Christ. If He truly called us to that assignment, person, task, or ministry we were destined to succeed. It is our job to be persistent, cast down fear and doubt, and conquer! Amelia Earhart says to “Use your fear, it can take you to the place where you store your courage.” Let’s take her advice!
Father, help us to discover the areas that we are walking in fear and doubt. Show us what you see in us, just like you did for Gideon, so that we can arise and conquer as he did. Help us to cultivate the gifts, talents, and tools you have given us so that we can go forth in your Godly confidence. May we rely on your perfect strength, draw from your power, and listen for your divine wisdom as we go forth. Let our courage be a blessing to those around us. Help us to guard our hearts and minds against the enemies tactics to keep us bound and stagnant. We are victorious in you, we are strong, we are courageous. Fear has no dominion over us. In Jesus name we pray, Amen. Love you bunches!!
Broken to Beautiful 