Embracing Courage: Faith and Resilience
By Becky Joyce
When my son was in grade school, he struggled with stuttering. As the years went by, he cleverly created all these workarounds to avoid words that gave him trouble and was able to conceal or control his stuttering to some degree. Many times, he used thoughtful pauses to give himself time to catch his breath before letting the words flow.
In 2nd grade, he had a speaking part in a school performance, where he had to recite the phrase exactly as it was written, and it began with some difficult sounds. As he prepared to speak his line aloud, he froze in a pause, waiting for his mouth to catch up with his brain. A few kids let out giggles of anxious anticipation, and you could feel the audience holding their collective breath. After what felt like an eternity, he started into the phrase, getting caught on that first syllable sound again and again. Eventually, he courageously worked his way through the tricky lines, finished his part, and returned to join his class on the risers. My husband said to me that night, “I don’t know that I’ve ever seen such courage. He stayed there, working at it, with everyone watching and waiting, way longer than I would have if I was in his position (even as an adult).” It was painful for us as parents, but also made us so very proud.
I’ve thought about that night so many times in the past seven years. I’ve found it particularly inspiring in my own challenges where I needed to summon courage or ask God for more faith to make it through difficulty. Brené Brown, a renowned researcher and storyteller, said this of courage: “[it] is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. It's the willingness to keep going when faced with adversity, uncertainty, and doubt.”
I am grateful for Brene’s deep research into courage and vulnerability, as it has brought to light several profound insights that can guide us in our quest to cultivate courage.
"Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it's having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome."
Have you ever found the strength to be vulnerable or courageous, even when the
outcome was uncertain? What did you learn from that experience?
"Courage is contagious. Every time we choose courage, we make everyone around us a little better and the world a little braver."
Reflect on a time when the courage of someone else impacted you. How did it
change your perspective or your faith?
The Bible also has a lot to say about courage, with countless stories of individuals who faced adversity with unwavering faith. I am always encouraged and emboldened by the stories of saints who turned to God for strength, courage and help in their moments of need.
”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
How does your faith in God give you the courage to face life's challenges?
"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles." Psalm 34:17
Can you recall a time when your faith helped you overcome your troubles? How
did your trust in God impact the way you engaged with difficulty?
Courage is a muscle that needs to be exercised and a discipline that requires us to take action, even when the path ahead is uncertain. Here are some journal prompts that may help you reflect on how you can further embody and practice courage:
Share a story of a time when you had to summon your courage (or pray for more courage or faith) in order to face a difficult situation. What did you learn about yourself or about God?
Think about an area of your life where fear has held you back. What steps can you take to overcome your fear and embrace courage instead? In what ways can you engage God with your fear?
How can you support and help those around you to be more courageous? How can you be a source of encouragement for others, pointing them to God in their troubles, and engaging your own faith in prayer?
