Courage

"Have I not commanded you? 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 (NLT)

Overview
Courage is the mental and moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand
danger, fear, or difficulty. For Christians, courage is more than just bravery; it is the
confidence that comes from trusting in God’s presence and promises. This guide
provides biblical wisdom and practical steps to help Christians cultivate and apply
courage in their daily lives.

Definition and Nature

Courage is the ability to face fear, pain, danger, or adversity with faith and
determination. It involves taking action despite the presence of fear, rooted in the
belief that God is with us in every challenge we face.

Why Cultivate Courage?

 Biblical Command: God commands us to be strong and courageous (Joshua
1:9).
 Spiritual Growth: Courage strengthens our faith and draws us closer to God
(Psalm 27:14).
 Guidance and Protection: Courage empowers us to make righteous
decisions and trust in God’s protection (Proverbs 3:5-6).
 Witness and Testimony: Courage enables us to stand firm in our faith and
be a testimony to others (Acts 4:13).

Biblical Perspective
The Bible repeatedly encourages believers to be courageous, grounding their
courage in faith in God’s promises and presence. Understanding courage from a
biblical perspective helps us to face life’s challenges with confidence and hope.
Original Languages
 Old Testament (Hebrew):
 ‫( ָח ַז ק‬chazaq): Means "to be strong" or "to prevail."
o Example: Joshua 1:9 - "Be strong and courageous."

 ‫( ַא ִּמ יץ‬amitz): Means "to be stout, strong, or bold."

o Example: Psalm 31:24 - "Be strong and let your heart take courage."

 New Testament (Greek):

 θαρσέω (tharseō): Means "to take heart" or "to be of good courage."
o Example: John 16:33 - "Take heart, I have overcome the world."

 ἀνδρίζομαι (andrizomai): Means "to be manly or courageous."

o Example: 1 Corinthians 16:13 - "Be on your guard; stand firm in the
faith; be courageous; be strong."
Cultural and Historical Context
 Old Testament Context: Courage was often required in the context of
warfare and leadership. Leaders like Joshua and David were repeatedly called
to exhibit courage as they led God’s people.
o Example: David’s courage in facing Goliath, grounded in his faith in God
(1 Samuel 17:45-47).
 New Testament Context: Early Christians needed courage to proclaim their
faith in hostile environments, often facing persecution.
o Example: The apostles’ boldness in preaching the Gospel despite
threats (Acts 4:13).
Theological Implications
 Faith and Trust: True courage is anchored in trust in God’s power and
promises.
o Example: Psalm 27:14 - "Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and
courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord."
 Divine Presence: Courage is often accompanied by the assurance of God’s
presence.
o Example: Isaiah 41:10 - "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you."

 Perseverance in Faith: Courage enables believers to persevere in their faith

journey, even in the face of trials.
o Example: James 1:12 - "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial
because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life
that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
Key Bible Verses about Courage
 Joshua 1:9: "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."
 Isaiah 41:10: "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I
am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my
victorious right hand."
 Psalm 27:14: "Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait
patiently for the Lord."
 2 Timothy 1:7: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of
power, love, and self-discipline."
 1 Corinthians 16:13: "Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous.
Be strong."
 Hebrews 13:6: "So we can say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper, so I
will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?'"
 Psalm 56:3-4: "But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God
for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can
mere mortals do to me?"
 Isaiah 12:2: "See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be
afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory."
 Psalm 31:24: "So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the
Lord!"
 Romans 8:31: "What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If
God is for us, who can ever be against us?"
 Matthew 14:27: "But Jesus spoke to them at once. 'Don’t be afraid,' he said.
'Take courage. I am here!'"
 1 Chronicles 28:20: "Then David continued, 'Be strong and courageous, and
do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with
you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work
related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly.'"
 Psalm 23:4: "Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me."
 John 14:27: "I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the
peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid."
 Ephesians 6:10: "A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty
power."
Biblical Examples of Courage
 David:
o Example: David, a young shepherd, faced the giant Goliath who was
terrifying the armies of Israel. Despite being outmatched in size and
strength, David relied on God’s power rather than his own.
o Action: With unwavering faith, David declared that the battle was
the Lord's and used a simple sling and stone to defeat Goliath,
demonstrating his trust in God (1 Samuel 17:45-47).
 Daniel:
o Example: Daniel, an exile in Babylon, showed courage by continuing to
pray to God even after a decree was issued that anyone who prayed to
any god or human other than the king would be thrown into the lion's
den.
o Action: Trusting in God's protection, Daniel continued his prayers
openly, resulting in his miraculous preservation in the lion's den and a
powerful testimony of God's sovereignty (Daniel 6:10-22).
 Esther:
o Example: Esther, a Jewish queen in a foreign land, risked her life by
approaching the king without being summoned, which was against the
law, to save her people from a plotted genocide.
o Action: Esther's courage led her to plead for her people’s lives, and
through her boldness and God’s favour, the Jewish people were saved
from destruction (Esther 4:16).
 Paul:
o Example: The Apostle Paul faced numerous hardships, including
beatings, imprisonment, and threats on his life, as he preached the
Gospel to Jews and Gentiles across the Roman Empire.
o Action: Despite severe persecution, Paul remained steadfast, boldly
proclaiming the Gospel and strengthening the early church through his
letters and missionary journeys (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).
 Peter:
o Example: After denying Jesus three times out of fear, Peter was
restored by Christ and transformed into a courageous leader of the
early church.
o Action: Peter boldly preached the Gospel in Jerusalem, even in the
face of arrest and persecution, becoming a pillar of the early
Christian community (Acts 4:13, 5:29).
 Joshua:
o Example: Joshua, the successor of Moses, was tasked with leading
the Israelites into the Promised Land, a land filled with strong
enemies and fortified cities.
o Action: Joshua demonstrated courage by faithfully following God's
commands, leading Israel in the conquest of Canaan, starting with
the miraculous victory at Jericho (Joshua 1:9, 6:20).
 Ruth:
o Example: Ruth, a Moabite widow, showed courage by leaving her
homeland and people to accompany her mother-in-law Naomi to Israel,
embracing a new faith and uncertain future.
o Action: Ruth's faithfulness and bravery led her to work in the fields to
support Naomi and herself, eventually finding favour with Boaz, which
led to her becoming the great-grandmother of King David (Ruth 1:16-17,
2:2-3).
 Moses:
o Example: Moses displayed courage by returning to Egypt, the land of
his birth and his enemies, to confront Pharaoh and demand the release
of the Israelites from slavery.
o Action: Empowered by God, Moses confronted Pharaoh, performed
miracles, and led the Israelites out of Egypt, despite facing enormous
challenges and resistance (Exodus 3:10, 14:13-14).
 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego:
o Example: These three Hebrew men showed extraordinary courage
when they refused to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar's golden
statue, knowing they would be thrown into a fiery furnace as
punishment.
o Action: Their unwavering faith led to their miraculous deliverance from
the furnace, with God protecting them from harm and demonstrating
His power to the king (Daniel 3:16-18, 25).
 Mary, the Mother of Jesus:
o Example: Mary, a young woman from Nazareth, displayed great
courage when she accepted the angel Gabriel’s message that she would
conceive and bear the Son of God, despite the potential for public
shame and personal danger.
o Action: Mary’s courageous "yes" to God's plan led to the birth of Jesus,
the Savior of the world, and she remained steadfast in her faith
throughout her life (Luke 1:38, John 19:25).
Praying the Scriptures
Dear Heavenly Father,
I come before You seeking the courage that comes from trusting in You. Your Word
tells me to be strong and courageous, not to be afraid or discouraged, for You are
with me wherever I go (Joshua 1:9). I ask for Your strength to face the challenges
before me. Help me to stand firm in my faith, knowing that You are my helper and I
have nothing to fear (Hebrews 13:6). Guide me, Lord, and fill me with Your Spirit, so I
can boldly live out my faith with courage and confidence in You.
Lord, I specifically request courage for:
 Facing Difficult Decisions: Grant me the courage to make decisions that
align with Your will, even when they are challenging or unpopular. Your Word
assures me that if I lack wisdom, I should ask of You, who gives generously to
all without reproach, and it will be given to me (James 1:5, NLT).
 Overcoming Fear and Anxiety: Help me to trust in Your presence and power
when fear and anxiety threaten to overwhelm me. You have instructed me to
not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, to present my requests to You (Philippians 4:6, NLT).
 Sharing My Faith: Give me the boldness to speak about my faith with others,
even in the face of opposition or ridicule. Your Word teaches me to always be
prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks me to give the reason for
the hope that I have, and to do so with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15,
NLT).
 Enduring Trials: Strengthen me to persevere through trials and suffering,
knowing that You are with me and that these trials will lead to growth in my
faith. I am reminded to consider it pure joy whenever I face trials of many
kinds, because the testing of my faith produces perseverance (James 1:2-3,
NLT).
 Standing Up for What is Right: Empower me to stand up for truth, justice,
and righteousness, even when it is difficult or comes with personal cost. Your
Word commands me to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves
and to ensure justice for those being crushed (Proverbs 31:8, NLT).
 Letting Go of Control: Help me to surrender my fears and anxieties to You,
trusting that Your plans are better than my own. You encourage me to trust in
You with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding; in all my ways to
submit to You, and You will make my paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6, NLT).
I know that courage comes from You alone, and I ask that You continually remind me
of Your presence and promises. Thank You for being my refuge and strength, an ever-
present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1, NLT).
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Practical Steps developing Courage
Daily Practices:
 Prayer: Courage begins with a conversation with God. Make it a daily habit to
ask God for courage in your prayers. Be specific about the areas in your life
where you need His strength, and trust that He hears you. Remember, "The
Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth" (Psalm
145:18, NLT).
 Scripture Study: Immerse yourself in God’s Word by reading and meditating
on Bible verses that speak about courage. Scriptures like Joshua 1:9 and Isaiah
41:10 can strengthen your resolve. Write these verses down, keep them with
you, and revisit them throughout the day to keep your heart anchored in God’s
promises.
 Affirmations: Speak life into your circumstances by reciting biblical
affirmations that reinforce your courage. For example, declare, "I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13, NLT). These
affirmations not only renew your mind but also build spiritual resilience against
fear.
Heart Practices:
 Trust: Actively practice trusting God in both small and big decisions. Start with
the everyday choices that require faith, and gradually build up to more
significant decisions. Each time you trust God and see His faithfulness, your
courage will grow. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your
own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5, NLT).
 Resilience: Reflect on past challenges where God has brought you through.
Remembering how God has been faithful in the past can give you the courage
to face future challenges. Keep a journal of these moments and revisit them
when you need encouragement. "The Lord is my strength and my defence; he
has become my salvation" (Exodus 15:2, NLT).
 Worship: Engage in regular worship to shift your focus from your fears to
God’s greatness. Worship not only glorifies God but also reminds you of His
power and faithfulness, helping to fortify your spirit with courage. "The Lord is
my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my
life—of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1, NLT).
Relational Practices:
 Encourage Others: Be a source of courage for others by offering support,
encouragement, and prayer. As you pour into others, you’ll often find your own
courage being strengthened as well. "Therefore encourage one another and
build each other up, just as in fact you are doing" (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NLT).
 Seek Godly Counsel: Surround yourself with mature Christians who can help
you grow in courage. Their wisdom, experience, and faith can provide valuable
guidance as you navigate your own challenges. "Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers, they succeed" (Proverbs 15:22, NLT).
Community Support:
 Church Engagement: Actively participate in church activities that encourage
boldness in faith. Join Bible study groups, prayer meetings, and other
gatherings where you can share experiences and be inspired by the
testimonies of others. "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, NLT).
 Accountability Partner: Find a trusted accountability partner who can walk
with you on your courage journey. Regularly meet or check in with them to
pray, share struggles, and celebrate victories. This partnership can provide the
encouragement and accountability you need to remain courageous in your
walk with God. "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for
their labour: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up"
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, NLT).
Lifestyle Changes:
 Face Your Fears: Courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to
face it with God’s help. Identify specific fears that are holding you back, and
take deliberate steps to confront them, trusting that God is with you. "For God
has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind"
(2 Timothy 1:7, NLT).
 Take Risks: Step out in faith, believing that God is with you in every situation.
Whether it’s making a difficult decision, starting a new venture, or standing up
for what is right, taking risks in faith will stretch your courage. Remember,
"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you
nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged" (Deuteronomy 31:8,
NLT).

Encouragement
Remember that courage is not the absence of fear but the presence of faith in God.
As you seek to develop courage, lean on God’s promises and His strength. He is with
you in every challenge, and through Him, you can overcome any fear or obstacle.
Engage with your church community, immerse yourself in God’s Word, and trust in
His unchanging love.