When Life Itself Had Become Frightening, You Need Courage

In July 2017, we moved from the Dallas metroplex to Midland, Texas. When we bought our house, we were very excited about the street name, which is Courage. I didn’t notice the name of the crossing street until a friend pointed it out to me: Victory. Yes, my house is at the corner of Courage and Victory.

When that friend pointed it out to me, she also mentioned that it couldn’t be a pure coincidence, and I agreed with her that it was prophetic. I had no idea that while in this house, I will go through the worse experience of my life.

In September 2019, we lost our first-born child unexpectedly. She was a senior at Texas A&M University and had just left home two weeks ago to go back to school after a great summer break with us. She was in good health, full of life and passion. She loved God and was committed to honoring him with her life. I was so proud of her and couldn’t wait to see where the Lord will take her in life. I was looking forward to her graduation this coming May 2020.

I have known the pain of grief in my life, but what I was experiencing during the months of December-February was something else. There are no words to describe it. I was crushed in a way I have never experienced before. I found myself at a place of deep desperation, and I was losing interest in life. My faith was shaken at the root, and I wasn’t sure what to do. On the first Sunday of the year, I was coming back from church with my family. The sign in front of my house with my address on it stood out to me, and it seemed like I was seeing it for the first time. The words Courage and Victory spoke loudly to me, and I meditated on them throughout the day. I also checked out the bible and was amazed to find so many scriptures referring to courage.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:9 (NKJV).

What’s courage anyways?

I have checked out a few dictionaries, and courage is the ability to do something that frightens you. Being courageous doesn’t mean that you are not afraid, it simply means that you feel the fear, but you still rise to do what’s right. In my brokenness, life itself was frightening. Crushed by pain, sadness, anger, disappointment, and frustration, I lost interest in life. I wasn’t sure I could ever be that joyous and vibrant woman again. The sign in front of my house was a message of hope, reminding me that I have to press through my challenges to move forward. Even though most days I felt like just staying in bed and crying, I knew that the right thing to do was to get out of my bed and take care of myself and my family. Something that I used to do so naturally had now become a frightening mountain. I needed courage!

Sometimes we think of courage as this amazing heroic act, like running through a burning house to save a child. Yes, that’s courage. However, just getting out of your bed in the morning is an act of courage when your strength had left you, and you don’t feel like living anymore.  And when you can go beyond just getting out of bed to also take a shower, go to the grocery store and prepare a meal for your family, that’s absolutely a heroic act. The fantastic thing about the sign in front of my house is that it reminded me that I have to be courageous. Even better, it also reassured me that victory would be waiting for me on the other side of courage. I was learning that courage is the pathway to victory. It’s the key that unlocks your dreams.

In my case, my dream was to be able to enjoy life again. The sign in front of my house gave me hope.  The hope that as I was taking those courageous little steps, one day, I will regain my passion for life.

During the onth of March, one day, I realized that I just went through a whole week without crying. I then knew that courage had finally opened the door to victory. I was feeling joyful again, and my passion for life was back. The journey is not over yet, but I am at a better place. As I keep on pressing through my challenges, I am confident that things will become even better. That’s the power of courage!

What is frightening you at this moment?

What is your biggest dream?

What challenges are you facing?

What little step can you take today to move forward, despite your fear?

The Bottom Line

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather it’s the act of moving forward in the presence of fear and uncertainty. Courage is about pressing through your challenges to do the right thing. Courage always precedes victory. We all have dreams in life, but without courage, you will never be able to achieve those dreams. Courage is the key to unlock your dreams.

Be courageous!