The Joy of the Journey
Courage for the Moment
We often imagine courage as a permanent. It’s something a person has or does not have, a quiet, unwavering well of strength stored deep inside us, waiting to be drawn upon whenever life gets tough. But when crisis hits, when diagnosis letters arrive, when grief shatters our routine, or when daunting decisions loom overhead, we often look inside that reservoir and find it completely dry. We wonder why we do not feel brave in advance. We mistake our present fear for future failure.
The truth revealed throughout Scripture is that God rarely grants advanced storage of courage for trials that have not yet arrived. Courage is not built-in us; it comes from a divine supply. God does not ask you to carry tomorrow’s bravery today. Instead, He promises that in the precise hour you need it most, His grace will prove sufficient, and His strength will uphold you.
When God called Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land after the death of Moses, Joshua faced an immense task. He was stepping into the shoes of a giant leader and preparing to face fortified cities. Yet God’s direct command to him was rooted entirely in divine presence, not human capability: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9). Notice the anchor of that command. Joshua was not told to feel confident in his own military strategy or personal fortitude. His courage was tied directly to the truth that God was with him wherever he went. God gives courage for the step you are taking right now, not for the hundred steps down the road that you are merely stressing over in your imagination.
Throughout the Bible, divine courage operates on a “just-in-time” basis. Consider Moses at the edge of the Red Sea with Pharaoh’s army closing in behind them. The people were panicked, yet Moses proclaimed: “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today… The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exodus 14:13–14)
When Jesus prepared His disciples for future trials and opposition, He taught them the exact same principle regarding divine provision in critical moments. He reassured them that they did not need to rehearse their fear or pre-plan their strength:“When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.” (Matthew 10:19). God’s supply chain is never late. The Holy Spirit provides peace, words, and fortitude in the exact moment the trial demands it.
When anxiety tells you that you cannot handle what lies ahead, remember that fear is focused on your own limited capacity, while courage is focused on God’s infinite presence. God never leaves us to summon strength from within our own weak hearts:“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10).
God does not hand us a map and wish us luck; He takes us by the hand and walks through the valley with us. Because He has given us “a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). You do not need to feel brave today for a crisis that might happen next month or year. Step into the present moment with trust. The God who holds your future will ensure that when the moment arrives, courage will arrive with it. He will give you courage for that moment!
