What Is Courage?

Courage:  The quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear.

The above definition is how the dictionary defines courage.  I kind of disagree with the last two words: "without fear."  I looked up some quotes regarding courage, and it seems I am not alone in my disagreement.  Here are some of the quotes...

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear." ~Ambrose Redmoon

"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear. Except a creature be part coward it is not a compliment to say it is brave." ~Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar, 1894

"Courage is being scared to death... and saddling up anyway." ~John Wayne

"Courage is never to let your actions be influenced by your fears." ~Arthur Koestler

"Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared." ~Edward Vernon Rickenbacker
 
You can't have courage without fear.  They go hand in hand.  The goal is to not let our fear overturn our courage.  In some situations, great courage is required.  But in others, you may only need a little bit.  The important thing to remember in both situations is that courage is readily available when we need it, in whatever capacity we need it in.  You know how I know?  Because God promises to be with us wherever we go.  He promises to never leave us or forsake us.  If he is with us, then we can be assured that he will provide us with courage to face difficult circumstances.  Our job is to accept His strength and resist the fear that comes from our enemy. 
 
In the first chapter of Joshua, the Israelites are getting ready to cross over the Jordan River into the land of Canaan, the land God had promised to them.  After wandering the desert for 40 years, they were finally about to walk into their "promised land."  Joshua had been given instructions by God to be the one to lead them.  We're not talking about a small group of people here.  There were more than two-million people that had to cross over the Jordan.  Joshua needed some serious courage. 

This is what the Lord said to Joshua in Joshua 1:5-9..."No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life.  As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.  Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.  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.  Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

God told Joshua three times to be strong and courageous.  He knew the task was not going to be easy.  God was encouraging him and telling Joshua that he would be with him.  He also told him to meditate on His Word day and night and to be careful to obey everything in it.  And that then he would be prosperous and successful.  When we have a task to complete that requires great courage, we need to make sure that we are submerging ourselves in the Word of God.  The Word of God is truth.  The promises that God gave Joshua are the same promises he gives to us.  He will never leave us or forsake us.  He will be with us wherever we go.

Joshua was Moses' right hand man for 40 years.  He witnessed over and over again how God came through on his promises.  Because he had assisted Moses for so many years, he was well-equipped to take over the leadership of the nation.  If we want to be leaders, we need to learn from others so that we will be ready when the opportunity comes.  If you need some courage, hang around with people who are courageous.  Learn from their lives.  Surround yourself with people who will encourage you to succeed, who will give you Godly wisdom.  Most importantly, remember to have your quiet time with the Lord every day.  He is our biggest encourager.

Some of the most courageous people I know are not people of great stature or great fame.  They are ordinary people with extraordinary faith.  They are what you might call my "silent heroes."  They are prayer warriors and encourager's.  When God says, "Go," they go.  When God says, "Stay," they stay.  They don't question Him because they know He will never lead them in the wrong direction.  Courage, to me, is knowing that I must face what I can't see and trust God to take my hand and lead me into the darkness.  Not two steps behind him, but walking right next to him until I'm on the other side.  Sometimes it takes courage just to trust God.  I know that may sound silly, but it's true.  However, the closer we walk with Him, the more we are in His Word, the easier it will be to trust Him completely.  We don't have to be the generation before Joshua who had to wander for 40 years in the desert and never enter their promised land.  We can enter our "promised land" now!  But, we must have courage and we must meditate on God's Word and be careful to do everything written in it.  Then we will be prosperous and successful.

My promised land is coming.  I can see it on the horizon.  For me, courage begins with leaving my house and going and doing what God has called me to do.  Some days it takes great courage to even get off my couch.  Other days it only takes a little bit.  What I know to be true is that in whatever measure I've needed courage, I've had it.  If we will accept His strength, we can do anything!