Sometimes, courage is loud and obvious like when David fought Goliath. Right there in the action, everyone around saw how he defeated the giant. And those not there to see it definitely heard about it.
But courage isn't always showy. Sometimes it's quiet. You might see it but not be able to identify it at the time. But it's courage nonetheless.
I think of Mary who probably heard the whispering of others as she walked by and Joseph who took Mary as his wife, even though she was already pregnant. Although the angel confirmed what the Lord wanted them to do, I imagine they still faced the town's gossip and rumors. And they had to have had courage to face what others said without starting to doubt themselves and maybe even what they heard the angel say.
But what about us? What does it look like to be courageous?
I don't know what you're going through, but I know sometimes it's hard to feel courage within ourselves. Disappointments and setbacks make us feel like courage is something for other people and that our lack of courage is too great.
What does courage look like in our everyday lives?
* Courage is getting back up when we feel like we keep getting knocked down.
* Courage is trying again when nothing is working out or we don't know what to expect.
* Sometimes courage is just getting up again in the morning and facing the day. Maybe it will be just as hard as yesterday was. Maybe it won't. But we won't know if we don't keep trying.
* Courage is persevering when we don't like our circumstances. It's looking at the hard day ahead and putting one foot in front of the other to keep moving forward. It's saying, I don't want to do this, but I have to, and I know I'm not alone—God is walking with me.
* Courage is knowing what we can't do alone, we can do in God's strength.
* Courage is crawling out of bed to face the day when we'd rather stay buried under the covers.
* Courage is making the decisions we don't want to make and taking that next step we don't want to take.
* Courage is sitting with someone in their difficult, heart-breaking circumstances so they won't have to sit alone.
* Courage is continuing to dream when our dreams seem unrealistic or someone says they can't happen. Courage is finding a way around the doubt.
Courage doesn't look one specific way. It's different for every individual and every situation.
There's no shortage of verses about courage in the Bible, but here are a few to think about.
So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!
Beautiful post. It's been a while since I've visited your blog. Your words always touch my heart. Blessings!
Thank you Barbie! Good to see you again!
Beautiful and needed words for me today. Courage is walking through the unknown with my eyes fixed on the One who knows it all. Thank you!
I love all these definitions of courage. In our loud culture, sometimes we are pushed toward a definition for courage that is really bravado or self-promotion. Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is to keep our mouth shut and pray.
Very well said Michele! I couldn't agree more!
This spoke to me as I'm going through my own courage building exercises lately! Linked up with you at Moments of Hope! Glad I found you!
These definitions of courage are spot on. Perfect! When I think of quiet courage, I always think of my mom. She was the embodiment of quiet courage.
Love this, Laura! What a perfect definition of courage! Thank you!
Yes and yes. What wise words that courage so often quiet and almost ordinary. Thank Goodness his courage IN us enables us to take the steps he sets before us. Loved this post, Laura. Perfect timing for me.
I think quiet courage that comes through reliance on God is the most powerful. Wise words, Laura!
Beautiful words of wisdom here! It's so good to be here soaking in them in. We kind of put courage in a box, don't we? Thinking it needs to look one way or another. Yet, as you pointed out, courage is so many things - some are ones we may easily overlook. Thanks for joining me, friend, at #MomentsofHope!
Love this post, Laura! Just a heads up, I'm featuring it tomorrow for Grace and Truth on Candidly Christian.