Courage

Ready 

“Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”” – Matthew 14:27 

SET 

Have you ever encountered something that completely overwhelmed you? Maybe you faced circumstances that seemed insurmountable. Or, perhaps you found yourself totally out of your comfort zone and frozen by fear. We’ve all had those moments when we felt ourselves sinking into defeat, praying for the courage to rise above the challenge. Like a lifeline in the storm, that courage often comes from the inspiration we receive from the words of a teammate, a mentor or a loved one.

To inspire means to breathe into something.  Courage is what allows a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, or fear and still act. The word encourage combines inspire and courage and means to inspire with hope, courage and confidence.   

When you see a coworker or friend who is struggling or down, do you take some of the courage and confidence that you have and give it to them so that they are built up & filled with courage and confidence, too?  That’s the greatest thing about being part of a team. Whether it’s at home, at work or in your community, we all have a team and we all will need to get picked up from time to time. The key, though, is that teammates must be willing to work together, lean on one another, and get real with one another.  A great teammate is able to make the team more confident.  A great teammate is an encouraging teammate who inspires others to face every obstacle with courage. 

GO 

1. Think about the best encourager you know. How did he or she make those around him or her more confident and courageous? 
2. Make a list of the challenges you face then share that list with at least one person who can encourage you to face them and overcome them. 
3. Find a few passages of scripture that detail ways Jesus encouraged the disciples and inspired them to place more trust in Him. 
4. Find a way to encourage a teammate this week. 

WORKOUT 

1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13; Matthew 14:22-33 

OVERTIME 

Father, thank you for surrounding me with people who are able to fill me with courage when I am afraid. Help me to be the leader, the teammate, the friend that you called me to be. Fill me with hope and courage so that I can be a source of encouragement for those I encounter today. Amen.