Godly Courage

by Sherri Wynn

Godly courage differs from secular courage. When the Bible talks about having courage, it’s within the context of setting out to accomplish God’s will in some manner or fashion. To take courage in these instances means to rely so completely on God’s power and direction that we submit our own will to His. We may be scared, but we step out in faith and do it anyway. Secular courage, however, means to act on our own accord, our own decisions. We still may be scared, but our actions rest firmly on the result of our own resolve. Countless examples provide us stories of secular courage, such as a teacher shielding students from danger, or a soldier purposefully falling on a grenade to protect the lives of others. Those sacrifices represent Jesus’ description of a love great enough for which to lay down one’s life; however, that sacrifice may have been offered by a good person who is not necessarily acting on God’s orders. 

We all know people who are wonderful, good, loving, kind, and willing to act selflessly for others. Sadly, good deeds aren’t a ticket to heaven. In Ephesians 2:8 we read Paul’s words, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God,” making it clear that God’s grace saves us because of our faith in Him, not in ourselves. Once our lives and wills are yielded to God, He is the one who strengthens us and enables us to act with courage. It takes Godly courage for a young unmarried woman with no visible means of support to stand up against her family, friends, and perhaps her boyfriend to say no to an abortion because she believes God is telling her not to do it. It takes Godly courage for a young man to enter full-time ministry against the wishes and wisdom of his family and friends, because he believes God is telling him to do so. As believers, we exercise Godly courage when we refuse to continue a generational cycle of dysfunction or abuse as we start our own families. Godly courage relies on God’s wisdom and promises to get through the emotional upheaval of a devastating diagnosis, suicide of a loved one, or the death of a child or spouse. These are only a few examples of times when we rely completely and courageously on our faith and trust in God, despite what others may be saying. 

Godly courage is also required of all women as we sacrifice our time and plans to minister to and help others in need. Did you know the little prefix word “en” means to go into, to cause to be, to provide with, and to cover? Used as a prefix for the word “courage,” it becomes an action verb which means to go into courage, to cause to be courageous, to provide with courage, and to cover with courage. We are called toward godly courage every day as we fulfill God’s mandates to encourage others. Ladies, that’s a sermon! 

BE ENCOURAGED as you encourage others to find their own Godly courage!