Courage is usually a buzz word we regularly here with men. Bravery to start a business, leave a country, or even fight in a war. But more and more, we are seeing women step into their lane of fearlessness. Whether it’s boldness to stay at home, work in corporate america, or raise children on your own, courage is rising up in women like you and me everyday.
Yes, I bought a shirt to solidify it. Don’t judge me.
Anywho…
Honestly, I have declared this year will be about stepping out into new adventures, which on paper I do not qualify for. But to God, all things are possible in Him. So amen to that.
Courage has been set on my heart since the start of 2020. I’ve already taken various leaps of bravery with starting this blog and blogging. But back to the point…
Courage Defined
According to Webster, Courage is:
- mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty
- Synonyms: heart, bravery, virtue, spirit, tenacity, resolution
- Opposites: cowardliness, weakness, timidity, fearfulness, hesitation, indecisiveness
Courage for you is:
- Saying YES to the things you truly desire.
- Applying for the promotion at your job to place you and your family in a better position.
- Saying NO to things that will not serve your greater purpose.
- Setting a budget and living like no one else so you can live like no one else.
- Finally telling people what’s really going on instead of saying “I’m Fine!”
- Raising your children different then your elders did.
- Having conversations and setting boundaries with people who abuse you.
- Trying love again after a devastating divorce.
- Leaving corporate America to start your business or stay at home more.
Courage shows up in many ways for women but most importantly it shows up as a gift from God. He gives us the strength and boldness to step out despite our fears because we know who we are in Him.
This is why Jesus showed so much courage going into the cross because he had so much clarity on who He was and what He was on this earth to do. Yes, he felt all the emotions, fear, and wanting to run, but he kept the end goal in focus.
Dealing With Lack Of Courage
As I write this post, I think of all the courageous acts performed in the bible and in my life. However, I also think about the people around me, in my family and in my communities, that struggle with the idea of stepping out in faith and doing something exteremely courageous. I can even remember my own lacking on multiple occasions in the past 32 years of my life. The first time I noticed the dwindling of my boldness was shortly after I became a mother.
Single motherhood can be constant state of uneasiness, fear of leaving the comfort zone, and many courageous acts daily. The fear that comes from these situations can lead us into bondage (as my Pastor Erica Moore, so bluntly preaches over and over again to the women of my home church). With bondage comes wasted time, talents, gifts, and mind (2 Samuel 22:46), which God never design for us to live in such a way.
Everything you ever wanted is on the other side of fear. – George Addair
In actuality, the only way through fear, bondage, and uneasiness is boldness to do something you’ve never done before.
50 Bible Verses To Help Combat Fear, Anxiety, And Worry (printable included)
What Causes A Lack Of Courage?
Like any other person that may be struggling with the idea of stepping out. With fears of looking foolish, failing, or even succeeding, how do you know these things will actually happen?
Fear is the main culprit of a lack of courage. Fear is:
- the feeling of messing up
- the feeling of falling short
- the thought that you are not good enough or qualified
Fear doesn’t do anything alone. It brings doubt, imposter syndrome, inadequacy, insecurity, inferiority, and paralysis along side.
But remember, fear is false evidence appearing real. Don’t be fooled, girl!
50 Bible Verses To Help Combat Fear, Anxiety, And Worry (printable included)
It’s Efffect On Your Ability To Be Bold.
You are afraid of something that hasn’t even happen yet. These fears can be a fragment of your imagination or real concerns. The enemy loves for you to be uncertain, unbalanced, and on the edge to cause you to be paralyzed by nothingness. In this state, you are unable to be courageous nor see things clearly.
In addition, another enemy comes to still, kill, and destroy. This enemy is procrastination, which is often rooted in fear, uncertainty, and/or laziness.
Using overthinking to overshadow the idea of you actually doing something about your life. Often, causing you to resort to a place of panic and anxiousness, which in return leaves you not meeting or haphazardly going about your goals.
Whether you’re battling fears or procrastination, there are 10 amazing scriptures that you can meditate on, pray on, hang up, create a mantra with, and share with others focused on manifesting and embodying boldness in your life.
One last thing before we dive in to the bible verses…
Why Is Courage important to the Christian Walk?
The bible is full of people who gained the courage to live life the way God planned. People the world considered unqualified, such as David, Daniel, Paul, Esther and more. Our call as a body of Christ is to:
- Take up your cross and folllow Jesus. (Matthew 16:24 NLT)
- Be fruitful and multiply. (Genesis 1:22 NLT)
- Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5 NLT)
- Go out and make disciples. (Matthew 28:19 NLT)
- Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:39 NLT)
And we need something to live out all of those commands.
Courage was mentioned over 116 times in the bible; therefore, why not find out what He says about it as it seems like God knew we would struggle with it. However, He also knows that we are capable of being courageous. Below is a small, yet powerful list of scriptures that will help you move toward a life of boldness with God.
10 Bible Verses On Courage For Every Type Of Woman
(all verses are from the NLT version)
God gives us courage.
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his spirit. Ephesians 3:16
They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. Psalms 112:8
Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety. Job 11:18
You know how badly we had been treated at Philippi just before we came to you and how much we suffered there. Yet our God gave us the courage to declare his Good News to you boldly, in spite of great opposition. 1 Thessalonians 2:2
God commands us to live courageously.
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13
But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. Acts 27: 22,25
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalms 27:14
This is my command- be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
God gives us benefits from living with courage.
And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. 1 John 2:2
But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded. 2 Chronicles 15:7
All in all,
God makes it plain that He wants you to be and live courageously. So why don’t we readily step into our God-given identity?
If courage is what you need and are seeking, first seek the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33).
Seek His word, His character stories, and how He instructs us to apply it to our lives. God wants you to live to your full potential and live a life free in Christ.
What is holding you back from living a free, courageous life?
Here are articles to support your courage journey:
- Courageous Stories In The Bible
- How To Ask For What You Want
- Stop Being A Yes Girl
- 12 Tips To Start Leading Yourself In Life
You can also join the Women Seeking Confidence Facebook group for a community of women headed in the same direction as you in regards to growing in relationships:
