“Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous… Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:6-9 (ESV)

Many thinks courage is a personality trait — something you’re either born with or without. But Scripture teaches us that courage is not natural; it is spiritual. Are you facing a situation that requires courage? Are you tired of living in fear? Do you need boldness to fulfill your calling? “Be strong and courageous…” was not a suggestion to Joshua — it was a command empowered by the Spirit of God. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear…” (2 Timothy 1:7) — tells us fear is a spirit, and so is courage. Fear is a spiritual force sent to paralyze you. Courage is a spiritual gift to propel you. We need the courage to obey when is hard. Obedience takes courage. Sometimes, it’s easier to conform than to obey.

Do you have the courage to obey when it costs your comfort? Will you trust God’s voice even when it doesn’t make sense? True courage often looks like isolation before it looks like influence. Elijah stood alone against 450 prophets of Baal. Daniel stood alone in Babylon. Jesus stood alone in Gethsemane and on the cross. Courage doesn’t always get applause — but it always gets God’s attention. Are you willing to stand for righteousness, even when it costs your popularity?

“Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart…” (Psalm 27:14).

Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is wait —…not act prematurely, not try to force it, not compromise out of impatience. Are you rushing ahead of God out of fear that He won’t show up? Can you trust Him enough to wait? Waiting takes courage — because it says, “God, I believe Your timing is better than mine.” Do you have the courage to face yourself? Some people are bold publicly but cowardly privately. Courage is also required to face: your brokenness, your bitterness, your trauma and your past. David had to face the sin he tried to hide (Psalm 51). Peter had to face the shame of his denial. Paul had to face his past as a persecutor. Sometimes it takes more courage to be healed than to stay wounded. Are you brave enough to let the Holy Spirit search your heart and heal what you’ve buried?

Prayer of the Day: “Father, in the name of Jesus, I break agreement with the spirit of fear. I bind every lie of the enemy that tells me I am weak, disqualified, or alone. I declare that Your Spirit within me is greater than any opposition outside of me. Fill me again with holy boldness. Ignite the fire of courage in my hearts. Raise me up to be a fearless, Spirit-empowered person who will shake the nations. Amen.”