Applying Courage - Illustration

Courage is often seen as the absence of fear, but in truth, it is the presence of love and the commitment to act despite our fears. In 2 Timothy 1:7, Paul reminds us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.” This beautiful truth lays the foundation for our understanding of courage as grounded in our relationship with God, who empowers us to step into the messy, challenging realities of life with grace.

We can look at the story of a young woman named Sarah, who found herself estranged from her father after years of hurtful words and reckless choices. She felt paralyzed by the fear of rejection and the weight of past grievances. Yet, one Sunday, during a sermon on forgiveness, she felt a stirring in her heart—a whisper urging her to reach out. It took courage to pick up the phone, to risk vulnerability in pursuing reconciliation. But she remembered that love, not fear, was her driving force.

Sarah reached out, and through tears, they began to talk. What followed was a journey of forgiveness that transformed their relationship and brought healing not only to them but also to their entire family. Her courage led her to act in love, fostering a community strengthened by grace rather than brokenness.

Friends, let us lean into that same spirit of courage. When we forgive, we embody the hesed (loving-kindness) of God, and in doing so, we allow His love to flow through us, transforming both us and our communities.