Courage

When you hear the word courage, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s the recent Marvel movie of a superhero showing courage in the face of adversity? Maybe it’s the young girl who stood up for her right to an education in a misogynistic culture.

What I’ve come to realize is that more often than not we view the big, life altering decisions as moments of courage. Specifically, living in this beautiful mosaic of a globalized society we are privy to people making large scale courageous decisions all the time. Whether they are courageously fleeing war torn nations, or standing up against systems and structures of oppression and injustice. 

While these are incredible, impactful, acts of courage, however, is more than a one time act. Rather, it is a journey that all of us embark on in a myriad of ways. 

Courage can and will look different in the way that we choose to walk it out in our individual seasons of life. I have this saying with my children; “sometimes the bravest thing you can do is watch the TV show that seems a bit scary, and at other times the bravest thing; is admitting you’re uncomfortable and changing shows.” If I’m honest, there are days that what I need courage for doesn’t seem as big and life altering as the aforementioned examples. Some days courage looks like getting out of bed, saying yes to a request, or “no more” to a toxic relationship. Courage today may be using your voice in a boardroom, or going back and apologizing to your children for yelling.

I don’t know what you’re looking to feel brave or courageous about today, but I am grateful for the words of Joshua 9 that we can be strong and courageous because the “Lord your God is with you wherever you go”. We see this played out over scripture with Jesus in the fiery furnace or in Luke 12 when Jesus reminds the disciples that they need not worry about having the right words in front of the synagogue, because, “Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say”. I am grateful that Holy Spirit is courageous for us when we cannot be.   

So friend, I don’t know what being brave and courageous looks like for you today. However, my prayer for you is that God will meet you as Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit, in the ways that you need Him as comforter, counselor, advocate, teacher and friend. May you know how loved and exquisite you are, regardless of the courage you do or do not feel. 

Peace over you and yours,

Tryphena