British Prime Minister Winston Churchill defined courage as "what it takes to stand up and speak" and "what it takes to sit down and listen." Every person needs to be encouraged when they are discouraged by life's circumstances. People need courage to be bold and strong in the face of bad news. The Hebrew word for courage is chazaq. Chazaq is a verb, which means "to be or grow firm," "to be or grow strong," and "strengthen." In the Bible, God often commands His people to "be strong and courageous." The basis for God's commandment for the Christian to not fear, is not that the circumstance in front of them is small, but that God is big. Whether we are facing bad news about finances, health, family, school, or work, God reminds us through the Bible that He is with us wherever we go. Christianity Daily compiled a list of twelve Bible verses about having courage.
Bible Verses About Having Courage:
1. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9
2. Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. - Deuteronomy 31:6
3. For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. - 2 Timothy 1:7
4. Then David said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished. - 1 Chronicles 28:20
5. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles." And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. - 2 Chronicles 32:8
6. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord! - Psalm 31:24
7. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. - Psalm 112:7
8. Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the Lord commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed. - 1 Chronicles 22:13
9. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. - Psalm 16:8
10. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. - Isaiah 12:2
11. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10
12. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. - 2 Chronicles 32:7
