How do we find courage when we’re afraid?
Some years back, I had the opportunity to attempt a ropes course that concluded with a zip line. Once you stepped onto the ropes course, there was no going back. You had to press forward to the platform and then fly across the zip line. A group of women stood near the base of the ladder, staring upward and whispering to each other.
I glanced at a friend as she met my eyes. My heart thumped hard. I wanted to do this thing, but the fear of falling almost overwhelmed me. My friend nodded toward the ladder. I swallowed hard and agreed.
We strapped into harnesses, fit tight helmets over our hair, and climbed the ladder. A “helper” attached the cable on our harnesses to the cables above the ropes course.
“Ready?” My friend’s eyes sparkled.
“Yup.” I hoped she didn’t hear the quiver in my voice. Where would I find the courage to do this with her?
We gingerly stepped onto the individual ropes beneath our feet. The rig shuddered as someone launched from the zip line platform ahead. I fisted my cable and waited for the setup to stop shivering.
As I slid my feet across that cable and maneuvered around the poles at different stages of the course, something happened. Fear lost its grip on my body and my heart.
I balanced well above the pebbled ground. Blue sky and pine trees breathed a “You can do this!” into my soul. My friend and I made it to the platform, halfway done with this adventure.
Soon, we sat at the edge of the platform high above terra firma. Was I really going to drop into the air and hope this crazy cable kept me safe?
5 tips for how to find courage in the midst of fear:
We mustn’t allow fear of ______ (fill in the blank) to gain the upper hand in our thoughts and emotions. Yeah, this is tough sometimes, but brave takes shape when we don’t give in to fear.
Find the facts that create a counter-balance for the fear. Choosing courage becomes easier when we have facts to fall back on. Fear feeds on uncertainty. But when we know the truth of a matter, we can make a courage-based choice.
5 Ways to Find Courage in the Midst of Fear—Fear feeds on uncertainty. But when we know the truth of a matter, we can make a courage-based choice #tellhisstory #findcourage #overcomefear Click To TweetEstablish a wider comfort zone. How do we do this? By being brave and trying things that initially scare us. When we do things that invoke fear, we overcome fear. It may take more than one attempt, but each time we do the thing that scares us, fear loses more of its grip.
Confess to a safe person the thing causing us to be fearful. Sometimes being honest and putting words to the thing we fear lessens the sense of being afraid. And this enables us to find courage and take the next step.
Pray for God’s perspective in the matter. Fear has a way of skewing our understanding of a situation. We often find courage after we ask God for help.
At times, fear has a place in the decision-making processes. But, we must determine what’s causing the fear and if that reason is a valid deterrent to the decision. If we realize fear has no place, we find courage when we make the decision to move forward.
5 Ways to Find Courage in the Midst of Fear—If we realize fear has no place, we find courage when we make the decision to move forward #tellhisstory #findcourage #moveforward Click To Tweet
Choosing Courage
As I huddled on the platform, my gaze kept darting toward the ground. The thought of launching into a free fall was almost too much. Then I remembered a fact: this course wouldn’t be functioning if the equipment and the personnel operating it weren’t experienced in keeping people safe. This thought dissipated most of my fear.
With a final glance toward the ground and then at my friend beside me, I grinned. We counted, “3-2-1!” and pushed from the platform. I clutched my cable and squeezed my eyes closed. When my body jerked upward, I opened my eyes.
Exhilaration bubbled inside as I glanced at the pine trees speeding past. And then my hands lifted upward. And a joyous “Wheeeee!” caped out behind me.
That day, I completed the course a number of other times, often with women who were just as scared as I’d been that first time. Encouraging them to take the next step, to find courage, and to do the thing that scared them also invigorated me.
We all face fearful situations. But, we each have the choice between whether we’ll react in fear or find our brave.
What about you? When have you faced a situation where you had to choose courage? What helps you find courage in fear-inducing situations?
***A quick reminder: Beginning next week, we’ll return to our schedule of Lisa Jordan hosting the #tellhisstory link up on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Head over to Lisa’s place next week to link up your encouraging posts!
Most weeks, I link up with Grace and Truth, Anita Ojeda, Instaencouragements, and sometimes Let’s Have Coffee. Come join and read more encouraging posts!
Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.
Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.
Jeanne, I love the look on your face in the first zip line picture … so many feelings mixed into one expression! That’s awesome that you went back and did the same thing several more times … I’m sure your presence was a comfort to others trying for the first time. When we went to the lake a few weeks ago, I went tubing for the first time. It didn’t end so well (I’ll tell you more about that later) but it was a new kind of experience for me, that’s for sure! The encouragement that we often find courage WHILE we’re doing the scary thing is so helpful, and also the advice to find the facts about the situation. I loved this post, my friend!
Lois, I had no idea that first time how much I would enjoy it. And, it was really special to encourage others who just needed a buddy to go through it with them. I’m so sorry tubing didn’t end well for you. New experiences are good things. We can always learn. Thanks for your encouragement, friend!
I must confess that the only time I’ve tried a zip line, I chickened out and climbed back down the ladder. Good for you and great points here.
Awww, Lauren. It’s tough looking out from that platform . . . and that fear of falling, it’s a real thing. I hope you’ll try it again sometime. 🙂
I love this statement Jeanne, “We all face fearful situations. But, we each have the choice between whether we’ll react in fear or find our brave.” Amen!
To answer your question,
Q. When have you faced a situation where you had to choose courage?
A. Everyday!
As living with chronic pain & health issues is a constant battle to face an unwelcomed foe that is maraudering my body & can set up little battlefields in the mind.
Fearing the future with this insatiable foe can become quite scary!
But choosing brave everyday by focusing upon my heavenly Father’s relentless kindness to me empowers me to face this nasty foe down! Turning it into a blessing instead of a curse. 😉
Bless you,
Jennifer
Jennifer, it sounds like you must choose brave every day. I’m truly sorry you deal with constant pain and health issues. I know that can be draining on the spirit. Your suggestion of focusing on the Lord is so important. He changes our perspective on things, doesn’t He?
Absolutely He does Jeanne! 🤗
These are great tips, Jeanne! Well done for facing your fear and doing the zipline. I have had to do things like that a few times when young people I’ve been working with have insisted I give it a shot! Not so much in those kind of situations but in other situations where I have been afraid, one thing that has helped me find courage is if I am sure it is something God wants me to do. The fear of missing out/ disobeying somehow overrides the fear of what he is asking me to do.
Lesley, it’s so good to see you! I’m glad you’ve stepped out and done adventures with the “kids” you work with. I imagine you impressed them by stepping up. 🙂 I agree. when we know God has shown us He wants us to do something, fear should be forced out of the equation. I’ve dealt with those other fears you mentioned, too. I appreciate your insights!
“Praying for God’s perspective” caught my eye after I added the comment. I do not know that I have thought along that line before. I have asked Him for His plans and for His wisdom. Perspective seems to add a new dimension for me. Thank you.
I’m glad the thought of asking God for His perspective resonated. 🙂 When He reveals this, it definitely adds a new dimension. 🙂
Better late than never, I guess.
The hard drive went away last week
without a cry or groan,
and Barbie ventured out to seek
for me, a new SmartPhone
to link into her contract
(now is she not a dear?),
but she took it as proven fact
that I might have some fear
of the new technology
she placed into my hand;
hope she accepts apology,
but she does not understand
that for fear I give not a fig;
my fingers are just too damn big!
Andrew, I’m ALWAYS glad to read your words. Always. I grinned at your poem. Small smart phones ARE difficult to negotiate sometimes, even for not-so-big fingers. 🙂 I hope you get your tech situation figured out. 🙂 I’m rpaying for you guys, my friend.
WOW! Just looking at the still photos and reading your description gives me goosebumps…but on the other hand, Jeanne, I have always wanted to do that. My sister lives on Kauai and has a zip line, thinking that when I would visit, I would do that. But last time I went, we did not. We never talked about it!!
Your words encourage me to take that first step, and keep on going, seeking the courage of the Lord. I can do all things if God ordains that I am do it because I love Him.
Years ago, when I was a downhill skier, I used to hit a f few black diamond runs and once I knew I was stable and on the ground, I, too, would let out a “Wheeeee!”
Thanks for encouraging me today as I am only a few weeks away from making a big move (hopefully my last) from E. TX to W. Colorado. Wheeee! may be coming out once I hit the road.
Linda, I so appreciate your encouraging words. I hope you are able to try zip lining sometime. I can’t imagine a much prettier place to fly through the air than Kauai! I used to downhill ski, but I only tried a couple of blacks. You had more brave than I did! 😉 You’re moving to my state? Wow! Where? I hope there are lots of Wheee’s as you begin this new adventure!
Jeanne, love the object lesson here! Great tips, basically I choose to stand and face the fear, because my fear is rarely as big as I think it is! You are my hero, I have avoided zip lining due to my fear of falling too….but now I’m inspired to try!
Donna, I like what you said about choosing to stand and face the fear. We must first make the choice, right? And yes, you’re right, most of our fears are rarely as big in actuality as we make them out to be in our minds. I hope you put on some brave and try zip-lining some time. It’s fun. 🙂
That looks like so much fun! It’s been awhile since I’ve been on an adventure like that, and it’s due! Making the decision to leave my job in June was wrapped in a lot of fear. It was my hope for something better that grew above the fear. I love this.. “but brave takes shape when we don’t give in to fear.” My brave took shape.
Lynn, I so enjoyed zip lining. Now sky diving . . . not sure I’m ready to take that challenge. 😉 I hope you are able to taste adventure again soon. Leaving the stability of a job can definitely be fear-inducing! It does seem like sometimes we need that “something greater” to motivate us to move beyond fear. Good for you in doing what you did. I would love to hear more of that story sometime. 🙂
I love physical challenges—but have a fear of getting too close to people or in trusting people to come through with n what they promised. This makes it difficult to ‘play well with others’ at times :/.
Anita, I so appreciate your vulnerability here. You’re right. Sometimes it’s scarier to allow ourselves to get close to people for fear that they will hurt us in some way. There’s such a balance between blind trust in people and stepping out when God nudges to reach out to others. Thanks for highlighting this aspect of fear. I’ve dealt with it too.
When my boys faced fear growing up, I’d tell them, “Face that Monster FEEEAAAARRRR.” They’d just role their eyes! LOL I have to tell myself that sometimes, too. New things bring that Monster Fear out in my life – but I’ve learned I have to push through it or I’ll end up staying where I am. This line: “brave takes shape when we don’t give in to fear.” Brave takes shape and claims land when we don’t give in – such powerful encouragement!
Maryleigh, yes, we must push through the fear, trusting God to help us, or we will become stuck. Thanks for sharing that important insight.
You’re braver than I am! Ed Welch wrote a book called Running Scared that helped me a lot before a surgery a few years ago. One helpful thought was fully facing “What if the thing I fear actually happens?” If God allows it, He’ll help with it and give grace to go through it.
So inspired by your experience, and I know that I do let fear narrow my life.
Awww, thanks, Michele. I liked your perspective that fear narrows our life. That’s such a great visual!
Barbara, Ed Welch’s question is such an important one to consider. And your perspective is so good too: If God allows something into our lives, He will enable us to handle it with His help. Thanks for sharing this wisdom!
Wow! I spent time watching 5 grandkiddos ziplining a few weeks ago, my feet firmly and safely on the ground, camera in hand. I am in awe of you, Jeanne!
😉
Linda, how fun it must have been to see the exhilaration on your grandkids’ faces! I hope you caught some amazing photos!