Courage (noun) is defined as, “the ability to do something that frightens one”.
Brave (adjective) is defined as, “ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage”.

As I stood worshiping in church today, I really got caught on the word, “brave”. We were singing the song, “You Make Me Brave” by Amanda Cook. I asked myself, “Does God really make me brave?”  For me, the answer was no. 

1 Chronicles 20:28 “…Be strong and courageous and do the work…“
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified…”
Joshua 1:9 “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.”

There are plenty more scriptures that speak about courage. I find it fascinating that most of the time that courage is mentioned, it is followed by, “do not fear”. I believe that God gives me courage. If I take that courage and allow it to refute every lie and use it to deflect fear; then I will have the courage to be brave. Being brave is showing courage. If I allow the lies to dismantle my courage and grow my fears, then I will not act in a brave manner. Chances are I will run or ignore the matter. God gives me courage and tells me to trust Him. When I hold fast to both of those, I can face anything.

Today is Mother’s Day. As I listened to that song, I thought of the times in child-rearing when I wasn’t courageous. There are still days when I do not want to be brave, I want it to be easy. The more I let that word and the praises of others minister to my weary mom’s heart; God gave me this poem. 

GIVE ME THE COURAGE

Give me the courage:
to watch them crawl, and watch them fall.

Give me the courage:
to allow them to be heard, and always trust Your Word.

Give me the courage:
to encourage them to grow, and admit sometimes I don’t know.

Give me the courage:
to forgive their mistakes, and let You heal my heartaches.

Give me the courage:
to show respect is theirs to earn, and hard lessons are theirs to learn.

Give me the courage:
to let them choose what to believe, and to trust You as they leave.

Give me the courage:
to let them go out on their own, and to rejoice when they return home.

Give me the courage:
to be able to take my hands away, and remember they were never mine anyway.

KMKE

“You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty
seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.” Benjamin Mee, We Bought A Zoo

What do you need courage for today?