Pursuing Courage

By LaTan Roland Murphy

Not long ago, I posted a book review of a book about women of courage in the Bible, written by LaTan Roland Murphy. Today I have the honor of having LaTan guest post for me about the same topic. I hope this post will be a reminder to you to pursue courage in your own life! If you like what you see, please go visit LaTan at latanmurphy.com. You can find her book here and here.

After being jolted awake, out of a ‘dead to the world’ kind of sleep, by our screeching smoke alarm, I quickly stumbled downstairs. Heart pounding fear rising. Wondering if I should have called the Fire Department, before rushing to investigate.

Thankfully, no sign of smoke—anywhere.

Sometimes, fear feels like an obnoxious alarm jolting us out of our comfortable little lives. Fear has a way of causing anxiety, reminding us of our need for courage. Especially when there are, seemingly, no easy solutions to life’s big problems. But courage doesn’t simply come knocking at our door. We must pursue courage, as fiercely as I pursued finding out if there truly was a fire in my house. After all, lives depend on it!

But, just about the time we feel most courageous, fear obnoxiously screeches insecurities—and, at the most inopportune times: when we are trying to stick with our diets, stay with our exercise plans, apply for our dream jobs. Alarmed with worry, and left to wonder: how the bills will get paid, if our marriages will survive the stress of this, or that, how our children can possibly grow up to be unscathed by the evils of this world? Alarmed with wonder. Wondering: how they will possibly grow up to be kind adults, after being exposed to such an unkind world? Fear has a way of falsely alarming, and sometimes, even tormenting our souls with questions about: Pretty. Much. Everything.

Pursue courage, friend, and watch as the very same fear that tried to paralyze you, fuels and propels you faithfully forward to hopeful tomorrows.

Don’t allow the enemy, Satan, to be entertained by your life circumstances by keeping you in a state of alarm. Get up! Go, in pursuit of courage! Pursue Jesus, the courage-giver who courageously overcame your enemy on the cross. Find true rest in Him as you pursue all that he is—with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Even when tempted to throw your hands in the air, give up, or crumble in defeat, find courage in knowing Jesus is near. As you press into your faith, he will silence every screeching, alarming fears. Focus on His voice singing over you with love, empowering you to live joyfully—regardless of your unanswered prayers and scary life circumstances. Remember, Satan wants you to focus on the fear and the chaos because he knows the kind of damage one faithful woman, like you, with a holy fire in her belly and an ounce of courage in her step can do to his dark kingdom. Never stop pursuing courageous living!

May we be wise enough to get up, step out, leave behind our fear and insecurity for a life of confidence and freedom.

Go, courageously!

LaTan

“Don’t tell God that you have a big problem, tell your problem that you have a big God.”

Kathy Phillips

Meet LaTan Roland Murphy

LaTan Roland Murphy is an award-winning author and speaker with writing featured in WHOA women magazine. She is the author of Courageous Women of the Bible, Becoming a Woman of Interior Elegance and coauthor of God’s Provision in Tough Times. She is also the founder of The Colors of His Love Women’s Conference. She and her husband, Joe, have three adult children and two delightful grandchildren. They live in Raleigh, North Carolina. Please visit her website at www.latanmurphy.com

Courageous Women Book Winner

Last week, I announced the winner of the Courageous Women of the Bible book giveaway, but the winner I announced never contacted me with her address, so I have held a new drawing. The new winner is: Patty Schell! Please send your mailing address to heather.bock[at]glimpsesofjesus.com by Saturday, July 7!