Do You Need Courage?

Courage does not mean having no fear. Courage is moving forward in spite of fear. When times are tough and the future is in doubt, we need courage.

How do you get courage?

Obedience.

Integrity means “wholeness.” In math, an “integer” is a whole number, right? If you have integrity, you are a whole person. And a whole person is a person who obeys. And obedience leads to courage. That is, if you have integrity, you will also have courage.

For example, integrity might require you to admit that you caused a car accident. It would be easier to lie and say it was not your fault, because confessing your negligence might cost you a lot of money—both the damages and a possible traffic citation. But if you have integrity, you are more afraid of being a liar than you are of paying that bill. In this way, integrity creates courage, because integrity causes you to be brave enough to do something that fear would otherwise keep you from doing.

God shows the connection between obedience and courage when He speaks to Joshua after the death of Moses. God knows taking over as leader—and following in the footsteps of Moses—will be scary. But God commands him to do it with obedience and courage. Just after the verse I spoke of yesterday (Joshua 1:8, which says never stop studying the scriptures and you will be successful), God says this:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not tremble or be afraid, for the Lord, thy God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9.

As long as the Israelites obey God, He will be with them, wherever they go. Jesus also promised us, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of time.” Matthew 28:20. If we obey Him, He will be with us, and our obedience—our integrity—gives us courage.

Obey Him, and choose to be strong and courageous today!

ΑΩ