When I think of someone who is courageous, I think of strength and power, something like a modern day superhero standing tall and strong, facing their giant with sword in hand, not with fear but an attitude of complete control. There appears to be no doubt or question that they can defeat their giant. It appears, in that situation, to be more confidence, that through their confidence and stature, their giant will flee.
But that kind of courage is normally for the movies and cartoons. Real courage, it’s messy and often times, misunderstood. Courage is not always standing at the forefront of situations but quietly enters unnoticed under a cloud of fear of the unknown. It is under that fear and unknown, that courage sneaks in and enables us to keep moving forward. As we recount old wounds or shame filled stories, it is courage that pushes us through the difficult retelling. When we confront the chaos within, it is courage that propels us through, even when we want to stop. When we begin to shed light on the darkness that fuels our depression, our anxieties, our confusion, it is courage that ushers us through and allows us the opportunity to experience healing.
Sometimes we experience moments of confident courage, yet more often it is a shaky-kneed, quiet determination to stop the pain, the dysfunction, the chaos, that moves us to a place of healing. But the hope lies in the reality that healing can come.
I think we would all love to have few superheroes in our lives, at times. Superheroes that would come in and use their superpowers to zap, crash, boom the pain away in one swift powerful moment. It would be much easier and much less messy, that is for sure! But there is joy in the process and strength in the journey. Little nuggets of delight and wisdom are gained through the messy and courageous process of healing. We wouldn’t want to miss those gifts!
Courage may not seem like the loud out front kind of superhero power we envision, but it shows up, often in shaky-kneed fear, propelling us forward to a place of hope, one small step at a time! There we can face our battles with the quiet push of courage, one small step at a time.
Welcome to Jonah’s Place,
a place for healing and hope,
where courage is always honored!
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
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