“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
Trusting in God’s Strength
We all face times when we feel weak and unsure, and it’s in these moments that we must remember to lean on God’s strength. Being brave and courageous does not mean we lack fear; rather, it’s about confronting our fears with the power that God provides. We can trust that His presence is with us, comforting us and giving us courage to face any challenges ahead. When we put our faith in Him, we find the strength needed to move forward, even when the path seems uncertain.
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
Psalm 27:14
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” – Psalm 27:14
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
Exodus 15:2
“The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” – Exodus 15:2
Standing Up for What is Right
When we think about bravery, it often ties closely to standing up for justice and what is right. As followers of Christ, we are called to be courageous in defending the truth, in loving others, and in standing against injustice. It’s in these brave stands that we reflect God’s character and show the world His love. We remind each other that even when we fear the consequences, speaking out and standing firm in our values is a significant act of courage.
Proverbs 28:1
“The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” – Proverbs 28:1
1 Corinthians 16:13
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13
Acts 4:29
“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” – Acts 4:29
Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:21
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8
Facing Fear with Confidence
Each day, we encounter various fears. They may be fears of failure, fear of rejection, or fear of the unknown. It’s essential for us to know that courage does not mean being fearless; it’s about moving forward despite our fears. God’s word reminds us that He has provided a spirit of courage within us, allowing us to confront these fears head-on. Let’s encourage one another that with God by our side, we can confront these challenges with confidence and assurance.
Psalms 56:3
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” – Psalms 56:3
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
Romans 8:31
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” – Romans 8:31
Joshua 1:7
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:7
Isaiah 54:17
“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD. – Isaiah 54:17
The Call to Action
God not only wants us to be brave but also calls us to take action. Courage isn’t just about our internal strength but also about putting our faith into action for the benefit of others. We are encouraged to step out of our comfort zones and engage in activities that foster hope, peace, and love. Remember, when we act on our beliefs, it shows true bravery and can inspire others to do the same.
James 2:26
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” – James 2:26
Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
1 Peter 3:14
“But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” – 1 Peter 3:14
Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
Ephesians 6:10
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” – Ephesians 6:10
God’s Promises of Courage
God has made promises to His people throughout the Scriptures, assuring us that we are never alone and always supported. We need to remind ourselves of these promises when we feel fear creeping in and uncertainty surrounding us. By holding onto these promises, we can embrace the courage He offers and live confidently, knowing that He will fulfill His word. His faithfulness is our source of endurance as we rely on His promises.
Hebrews 13:5
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'” – Hebrews 13:5
Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4
2 Corinthians 12:9
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
1 John 4:4
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4
Encouragement from the Community
We are not meant to walk this life alone. God has blessed us with a community of fellow believers who can encourage us to be brave and courageous. Together we can lift each other’s spirits, share our burdens, and share stories of faith that can inspire us to keep going. Let us reach out to one another, fostering an environment where we can grow in courage together as the body of Christ.
Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25
Galatians 2:2
“I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles.” – Galatians 2:2
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Proverbs 27:17
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17
Romans 1:12
“That is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” – Romans 1:12
Final Thoughts
Being brave and courageous is a journey we can all take together. As we trust in God’s strength, stand up for what is right, face our fears with confidence, take action, cling to God’s promises, and build one another up, we are living out our call to bravery. God has equipped us with everything we need to thrive, and it’s empowering to know we can lean on Him and each other in times of need.
In every challenge we face, we can look to the scriptures for guidance and encouragement. We can remind ourselves that God’s presence is with us, empowering us to be courageous in all pursuits of life. So let us take heart and keep moving forward, together. I encourage you to explore more uplifting topics and engage with the Word for more inspiration, such as joy in the Lord to help us on this pathway of courage.
Our journey isn’t meant to be walked alone. Let’s lift each other up and be sources of strength and courage, as God intended.