Choosing Courage

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage.

Do not be afraid, neither be dismayed.

For the LORD your God is with you in all places where you go.

(Joshua 1:9 MKJV)

I work with authors and fellow writers all day, and I love it! One of the biggest challenges for writers (including for me) is perseverance. How many years does it take to reach your goals? For writers, a decade can zip by while we practice POV or characterization, while we fine-tune our plot development strategies, or research methods. Ten years before we have an agent. Ten years before we have a book contract. Ten years before we’re even on the radar of publishing decision-makers. See why perseverance is imperative?

But courage is a choice. And no matter what your goals in life, what your dreams or your calling, you have a choice to make: courage or not.

Jesus says to take courage:

I have spoken these things to you so that you might have peace in Me.

In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer.

I have overcome the world. 

(John 16:33 MKJV)

He knew we’d have a choice. He knew we’d need Him. And oh, how we need Him. Everyone needs Him, whether they realize it or not. The oxygen we inhale is there because He sustains us, each of us. If He turned His face away, no one could stand. (see Hebrews 1:3)

Really, it all comes down to trust.

Trust that the God who called you will also bring it to pass. (see 1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Trust that God knows the best timing. If He released you before you were ready, you’d face many hardships (humiliation, failure, defeat, despair, etc.).

Learning to fight hard (for what you want) and to work hard, are good traits. Embrace that journey.

Learning to love people, to keep them foremost, is key. I don’t believe God will release us before we have that firmly established.

Here are some parting words from the Word:

Hope in the LORD; be of good courage,

and He shall make your heart strong;

yea, hope in the LORD.

(Ps 27:14 MKJV)

Faithful is He who called you, who also will do it.

(1Thess 5:24 MKJV)