And so, we wrap up the series that all started with one quote, on one green sleeve, on a Starbuck’s cup. Fifteen simple words that ended up being anything but simple – “The only courage you ever need is the courage to live the life you want.” The journey has taken us on an exploration of passion, who we are living our lives for, who we center ourselves on and today ends with how we find courage in a world of fear and insecurities. [CLICK HERE TO CATCH UP]
To start, here are some quotes on courage:
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear.”
― Mark Twain“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
― Winston Churchill“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
― Nelson Mandela“Courage is grace under pressure.”
― Ernest Hemingway
Conquering fear is a key component to courage. Learning how to overcome and move past the fear which grips us and causes us to freeze in place is a work in progress. But the problem with developing courage is that there is no easy solution –  only more questions to be answered. Some people possess an outward appearance of great courage and looking from the outside we might desire to be be like them. Others exhibit a timidness in all they do and our first thought is to observe them to learn what not to do.
The factor that is always present is fear, but the question that lingers is how do I get past the fear to solve the issue at hand? Several possible answers to facing our fear with courage can be found here:
1. Lysa TerKeurst in her book The Best Yes Making Wise Decisions on the Midst of Endless Demands provides one possible answer to finding courage. She says:
She backs this up by telling us that the better we know scripture, the easier it will be to take it with us wherever we go and use it when needed. God is always with us and we can use His Word to fight off fear and discouragement.
2. God’s Words in Proverbs 16:9 gives us another answer.
In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9 NIV
God is with us each and every step. We can choose to find our own way and to follow the path without any help, but God is still directing the direction we will go. I also like the Message version of the same verse which reminds us that God gave us our life and He will lead us through it.
We plan the way we want to live,
but only God makes us able to live it. Proverbs 16:9 MSG
3. Finally, I can find courage in the quote below from this song by Bill Gaither.
“Because He lives I can face tomorrow, because He lives all fear is gone! Because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives!” Â “Because He Lives” by Bill Gaither
Because God lives in us, around us and in others we meet, we should have no fear because He holds us and our future in His Hands. Fear is gone and replaced by the courage of knowing God and His Word.
[Tweet “Courage is embracing God in the midst of our fears and uncertainties.”]
Courage is saying “yes” when the popular answer is “no”. Courage is letting God take the lead as we follow in faith. Courage is embracing the Word of God as truth and soaking in the words that God gifted us with so many years ago. Courage is embracing the privilege of God walking beside us each and everyday.
Take a few moments and reflect on courage in your own life. Where does the strength for courage originate for you and how do you conquer fear when it threatens to overwhelm you?
Blessings,
Mary
Your voice and your heart shared here on this page will bless the community that visit here. I would be honored for you to join in the conversation! If this post encouraged you or got you thinking and you don’t want to miss a single post, please sign up to receive my posts right to your email.
Blessed to be linking with:
      
       
Mary, your post reminds me of another verse in the Bible that tells us what is the opposite of fear, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” 1 Jn. 4:18. I’m not sure I’ve ever truly understood this concept, however, I do think that it echos what you’re saying above. Since “God is love” whenever we allow Him to work through us, we are letting His love defeat our fears. I’ve really enjoyed your posts in this series, Mary. And also love the famous quotes you’ve included from these very wise people! Hugs to you!
I love the verse you quoted above about fear. I looked at courage through the eyes of the absence of fear but knowing that love, especially God’s love, which is perfect, drives out fear, encourages me to lean in and dig deeper into my relationship with Him. The beauty of community and joining in the conversation is the wisdom that others share and the nuggets of truth I learn from others. It is such a blessing. Thank you as always for being part of this community and for building into people that you visit. Have a blessed Friday and weekend! Hugs!
Beautiful! I love the reminders from God’s word & other quotes. Courage had been a word on my heart for some time now, so this spoke to my heart in many volumes. I’m learning courage is in the things we choose not to do (self control) as much as it is in the things we do do. Courage & humility…two words rarely seen together, yet each compliments the other. Thank you for sharing!
So blessed you stopped by Kaylene! I love when God’s message to me is also resonating with others for their time in life. Courage has been creeping into my world recently and God has been speaking to me about stepping out of my comfort zone. It will be an adventure to see how all will unfold. Have a beautiful Friday and weekend!
Thanks for this writing. I need to read sometimes things about facing fear and Gods grace for me.
Blessed you stopped by today! I pray that God’s word spoke to you today about facing fear and His unending grace. Blessings for you for the rest of this week.
I know, I know that I can’t drum up on that courage on my own. I love the verse ‘your strength must come from the Lord’s mighty power within you.’
And everything in me can only cry out, ‘amen …’
We love and serve and are cradled by a courageous, powerful God. How blessed we are.
I know that it is only God when fear threatens to overwhelm me. Amen to serving a courageous and powerful God! The journey becomes easier, more focused and more joyful with Hod by our sides. Hope you are well friend! Hugs and blessings!
Oh, to always have the courage that simply turns to God rather than turning and running! Thanks for linking up with Testimony Tuesday, sweet friend! I miss your laugh, your knowing look when we are having the same thought about something, and your presence at the actual table. So grateful for this virtual table that we can continue to come to! Love you!
I miss you too! So much excitement in the anticipation and so much fullness in the aftermath. The weekend went way too fast and I can’t wait until we hang out again. Thank you for your weekly link up and for blessing me with your encouragement each week. Love you!
I need to keep these courage quotes close for those days I just get overwhelmed stepping out into new things. I love one that says “courage is facing your fear and stepping forward anyway”. Not sure who said it (and probably got the words wrong), but courage comes from putting our faith in God to carry us through whatever scary thing we’re facing.
All of the quotes I posted spoke loudly to me and keeping them nearby is a great idea. I find it is too easy to be fearful and think that I do not have the courage it takes to overcome the challenge, but I keep learning that God is our courage and leaning into Him is all we need.I love when you stop by Kathryn and join in. I also love knowing that you face the same things that I do. Blessings and hugs!
I need all the quotes on courage I can find! God’s calling me WAY out of my comfort zone these days and I need that pep talk 🙂 Love how you’ve crafted a whole series from a Starbucks cup sleeve!
I find it amazing that one little quote on my coffee cup provided an avenue to learn more about passion and courage. God is so good to teach us through the mundane, routine ordinary moments in our lives. Hope your Friday is a blessing!