10 Scriptures on Courage
For When You Need to Be Brave
Do you have days when you feel as if Courage could be your middle name?
If so, maybe you should be the one writing this post.
Recently, there have been many days and nights when I felt totally devoid of courage. The more I talk to friends and see their social media posts, I realize I am not alone. {I suppose I could take courage in that.}
More than once during the pandemic season, I have awakened in the morning feeling worse than when I went to bed. The words restlessness and anxiety seem to be at the top of my “most used words” list. {And brave is nowhere near making the list.}
Yes, the same person who once wrote the blog post Can You Be Brave Enough, citing how we all, like Nehemiah, should be ready to pray, be on guard, and be prepared to take up our sword in the face of adversity—she is struggling. Also, I feel I understand, more and more, some of what David may have felt in his darkest hours.
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God...” Psalm 42.5 (NASB)
One-night last week, I lay awake until almost four in the morning. When my husband asked what was wrong, I said, “Around midnight, the motion-censored security light outside the bedroom window flickered on and off several times. Did you notice?” I knew he had not because he was snoring the night away.
The sudden light coming through the window covering had immediately drawn my attention, as I was still awake and reading in bed. After the light came on a second time, I slipped out of bed and crept to the window to peek through the blinds. All the while, I was trying to convince myself it was the wind, or maybe an animal who happened by {a cat, maybe} that had triggered the light.
Thankfully, I never saw anything outside, and we keep our side gates locked, so I knew nothing was getting into the backyard. Still, I was on high alert and unable to rest. The struggle is real, as they say, and I find myself often in a state of restlessness and anxiety.
So, I created this list of Bible verses that specifically speak to my need for courage, in this season. Taking into consideration it appears I am not alone in this; I am sharing the list with you. My prayer is that these verses will remind us courage is always available to us, as God's daughters—and that He needs us to be brave.
One note, before you move on to the list. When we study these verses, digging down to the original Hebrew and Greek languages, the words courage and strength often appear together, the meanings almost interchangeable.
10 Scriptures on Courage for When You Need to Be Brave
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble […] for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”
“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?”
“Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.”
“Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.”
“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men [women], be strong.”
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.”
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
“The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?”
“Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.”