Courage Begins With Trust
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Reflection
Courage is very often misunderstood, we picture bold words, fearless actions or unshakeable confidence. bibical courage begins much quieter than that. It begins with trust. Real courage isn’t bravery it’s simply trust. You choose to trust God even when you aren’t ready to.
When your life seems unclear trust is really hard. You could be struggling with a decision you don’t want to make right now, or even feel that you can’t make the decision at this time due to all the stuff going on in you head and your life. You have the weight of all the responsibility, family, kids, spouse, the future when you make the decision. It can be all overwhelming!
In the back of you mind you listen to the fear of choosing wrong and it becomes paralyzing. Proverbs 3 is a gentle reminder to us that courage isn’t found in having the answer but in surrendering all our need to understand everything.
God simply wants us to trust Him. He wants us to trust in the confident parts and in the anxious, tired and unsure parts too. When we trust ourselves, that leads us to worrying because our perspective is so very limited. We see this present moment, but God sees all the rest of our life. He has the better perspective. Our courage grows when we allow God’s wisdom to carry what our minds can’t.
For women trust is a very vunerable place for us. We are taught to hold everything together, and to keep control. When we trust it requires us to release things into God’s hands and choose faith over fear. This kind of courage doesn’t shout it whispers, “God I don’t know what to do, but I trust you.”
Trust is an active daily decision. It shows up when you pray instead of panic during a situation. When you take the next step while you are still shaking inside you take a breath and rest in the truth that God has your back and relax. Instead of stressing out over something you rest instead of forcing yourself on in exhaustion. Trusting God doesn’t automatically remove the fear, but it will shift who carries the weight of that fear on to God.
When you acknowledge God in everything, your emotions, your relationships, your spiritual growth. He promises to direct your path. That doesn’t mean everything will be easy, but it does mean you never walk alone the Holy Spirit will be right by your side every step of the way.
Courage rooted in trust allows you to press on one step at a time, with confidence that the Holy Spirit is right with you every step of the way.
Today remember this. You don’t need perfect faith to be courageous, you simply need a willing heart and a trusting step.
Prayer for today:
Lord, I confess that there are places in my life where fear has been louder than faith. I don’t always know which direction to go, and I choose to trust you with my whole heart. Help me release my need to understand everything and rest in your wisdom. Give me courage, not because I am strong, but because you God are faithful. Guide my steps and quiet my anxiousness in letting go. Amen.
Action Step / Journal Prompt
Take a few minutes and write down:
- One area where fear has been something you dealt with.
- What you think it would look like if you trust God with that area of your life.
- end your journaling with this sentence. ” Today, I choose courage by trusting God with ___________.”
