COURAGE

Our chunky hoops are here to represent courage. We hope as you wear them you will take courage, dear heart 🧡

The verse on our hoops is Psalm 31:24:

“Let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.”

Here, the psalmist has been facing trials and fears for his life but expresses confidence that God will deliver him.

The words let your heart suggest we can ‘not let’ our hearts take courage. In Hebrew, heart refers to our mind, will and emotions. Jeremiah describes our hearts as being deceitful above all else (17:9). This is contrary to the world’s view to follow our hearts. Our hearts can deceive and discourage us!

So let’s take courage. ‘To take’ is to seize or capture. One of the ways our hearts can discourage us is through fear. In the Bible, fear is the opposite of courage. Fear seizes our hearts but faith is the antidote to fear. We can en-courage our hearts by capturing every fear and aligning it with the truth of what Jesus says.

“Demolishing every pretention that sets itself that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive and making it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5.

The Greek word for ‘take courage’ is tharseó, which can also be translated as ‘take heart.’ Jesus says, ‘take heart’ twice in the bible.

First, when the disciples were in the middle of a storm and were terrified as Jesus walked on the water towards them. We can maybe agree that fear and unbelief ruled in their hearts! During stormy seasons, we too can let fear or doubt take over. Jesus says, “Take courage, it is I!” It’s often in the storm or fire that our faith is best refined. Do we really believe He is who He says He is? If we do, we can take courage knowing God is with us.

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:27

The second time was the night before Jesus’s death when the disciples faced genuine hardship and uncertainty. They anticipated heartbreak and persecution and got themselves into a state of panic. We too will face hardship and heartbreak but Jesus encourages us not to panic. What the disciples didn’t know at this point was that Jesus’s death and resurrection would be the very thing that brought them life and peace in the midst of suffering. We too can take courage by holding onto His eternal hope and promises.

Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

So as you wear these hoops may you take courage. In Hebrew, the word courage is used in military contexts suggesting a readiness to face battle. It doesn’t always come naturally; sometimes we have to fight for it.

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

So take courage, dear heart. Speak faith over fear, peace instead of panic, and hope in the middle of hard times. You can confidently expect that the Lord will fulfil His promises to you. May your faith be refined as pure gold and Jesus’s name be glorified in your life.

"That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:7

🧡What fear rules in your heart?

🧡What faith can you speak over it?

🧡In the middle of the storm or in the face of hardship, what promise in scripture can you hold onto?

Prayer: Jesus I choose to take courage. May my faith be stronger than ever before. Amen.