Called to Be Courageous


A few weeks ago, I did something I’d been putting off for quite a while. I added a speaker page to my blog. I know, for some, this might not be a big deal, but for me, it was. Finally doing this meant moving forward through the fear, and finding courage to put myself out there where others could see and judge.

As I thought about courageous people in the Bible, I reread the verses calling Joshua to be courageous in leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. (Joshua 1) But, that’s not who I kept thinking about. Instead, I kept thinking about a woman who had the courage to go to Jesus.

In the Book of Mark, chapter 5, Jesus is on His way to visit a little girl who is dying. As He walked with the girl’s father, the disciples, and the crowd of people following Him, He suddenly stopped to talk to one woman. A courageous woman whose faith was stronger than her fear.
A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Mark 5:25-28
This woman, who would have been viewed as ceremonially unclean for so many years, made the choice to go to Jesus, despite her fear and uncertainty. She took a faith-filled risk, even though she would be seen and judged. {Tweet this}

And her courage was rewarded.
Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition. Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?”
Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.” Mark 5:29-30, 33-34
By faith, she had the courage to fight through the crowd and touch Jesus’ robe, and then, confess to Him what she had done.

That’s courage, friends. Raw, honest and inspiring, faith-filled courage.

Where do you need to find courage today? {Tweet this}

Maybe it’s the courage to keep trying when you feel like giving up.

The courage to step out in faith despite the fear holding you back.

The courage to keep hoping when you’re knee-deep in disappointment.

Perhaps it’s the courage we all need— the courage to reach out and touch Jesus’ robe because our faith is stronger than our fear.

Courage that says we can walk through anything because our trust and confidence is in the One who will never leave us.

“Daughter, your faith has made you well.”

May we all be courageous women who walk in faith, regardless of all that tries to work against us.

In Christ,
Laura

[Photo credit: Unsplash.com]

12 comments:

  1. Isn't it amazing looking at the stories of the women in the Bible?! I've spent time looking at the woman at the well for the Finding I Am study, and it's amazing to see the tenderness Jesus used with the women He encountered. The woman who touched his robe had a courage born out of desperation and deep faith. I can relate to that sometimes :)

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  2. I get it, Laura. It takes a fair amount of courage to start using words like "speaker" and "writer" when so much of our time is spent as "lunch packer" and "dish washer." Blessings to you as you embark upon whatever God has planned for you next! (Heading over now to check out your page! Maybe I'll get brave someday too!)

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  3. I so relate to that fear. I have no desire to be a "speaker." The word scares me, lol. BUT if God calls me down that road I know I'd need to have courage and obey. Your post inspires me! Many blessings to you!

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  4. Love this: Perhaps it’s the courage we all need— the courage to reach out and touch Jesus’ robe because our faith is stronger than our fear. It doesn't matter what the issue, I pray my faith is stronger than my fear.

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  5. Good for you, Laura! Cheering you on over here in Carolina. Comfort zones aren't fertile ground, are they? :)

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  6. Dear Laura, I never thought about the courage it takes to hope. How brave of you to extend your blog to speaking in hopes of spreading the good news. Prayers that you will have enough engagements to encourage and grow.

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  7. Laura, such encouragement! May we live all of our days with faith-filled courage. Thank you for this word today!

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  8. Congratulations on your newfound courage, Laura! I am yet to find the courage to speak as I have only recently found the courage to write again. God bless you on your journey! ❤️

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  9. Love this -- May God open up doors for you to share and minister with your voice. Hugs

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  10. I love this story, Laura! Can you imagine this woman's desperation after 12 years of "quarantine". May we all be this desperate just to touch Him that no amount of fear will hold us back! Congratulations on stepping out of fear and grabbing hold of Him, Laura!

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  11. Good for you for stepping out in faith to add your speaker page. Praying God will open doors of opportunity for you to share your story. Blessings!

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