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Courage
Courage is bravery; intrepidity; that quality of mind which enables men to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear or depression of spirits; valor; boldness; resolution. Courage is a constituent part of fortitude; but fortitude implies patience to bear continued suffering.
To discourage is to deprive of confidence, hope, or spirit.
–Webster’s American Dictionary
The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery.
–American Heritage Dictionary
Synonyms for courage include bravery, heroism, gallantry, nerve, valor, daring, fearlessness, intrepidity.
–Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary
“Be strong and of good courage.”–Deuteronomy 31:6
Courage is frequently associated with an innate quality, bravery, which implies an act of consciously rising to a specific test by drawing on a reserve of inner strength. Courage, Consecration and Action form the fifth lesser trinity of Via Christa Degrees, the keynote of which is Sacrifice. Courage is related to the Mystic Degree, in which the candidate dares to do and to be silent about it. Courage is that inborn quality of soul that causes you to take a deep breath, gird your loins, and act as if this is the frosting on your cake. Courage is a virtue, and a soul faculty of the Mystic Degree, which rules the heart center. The Latin root of courage, cor, means heart.
When you say, He has a great heart,
you are saying he is courageous.
It takes courage and self-control to accept and wait for the time when you can take hold and do the great things as you see them and feel it in your heart.–Edna Lister, October 10, 1925.
If you become discouraged and give up, voice the wail of the quitter, the fainthearted, you will never succeed. You must accept and conquer sometime, so you might as well do it now. God puts you where you are so you may learn to conquer, to express this inner ability which you have not yet expressed.–Edna Lister, Mind, Tuning In and Broadcasting, January 26, 1933.
Wisdom and strength rightfully belong to the brave heart.–Edna Lister, The Lord’s Prayer, September 26, 1934.
If not showing you high courage, anything making it too easy is not taking you home, but the long way around.–Edna Lister, The High Call, January 2, 1935.
No one is brave or courageous on an empty stomach.–Edna Lister, True Courage, January 16, 1935.
Avoid those associates who discourage you with pessimism.–Edna Lister, How to Improve in Every Way, January 4, 1936.
Benaiah, the son of a valiant man, slew a lion in a pit on a snowy day.
—1 Chronicles 11:22. Courage is bravery. You can have a torturing fear, yet be brave.–Edna Lister, Daring to Do, February 7, 1937.
You move on the power of encouraging words, such as, I have faith in your ability to do this.
—Edna Lister, Zeal, a Defense, January 23, 1938.
A courageous and valiant few manage to conquer time and space.–Edna Lister, August 22, 1938.
Let no clouds of darkness or doubt steal your high courage.–Edna Lister, September 29, 1938.
The conquering soul stands strong to endure and in bravery to carry his own burden to the altar in sacrifice.–Edna Lister, February 3, 1939.
Let the courage of the Christ, the first Begotten Son, be your courage.–Edna Lister, April 29, 1941.
When it is necessary to do a thing, take courage and do it.–Edna Lister, November 27, 1941.
You can’t buy courage in the dime store, or for millions. No invisible mantle will supply it; you have it or you don’t. The courage to stand your ground comes from an inner conviction that what you are doing is right, and bravery is its inevitable outer expression. No following false gods of materialism or loudly voiced opinions can manufacture courage, for such substitutes fail when called upon under fire.
A right goal, with the inner courage that never gives way or backs down, showing a brave front to all enemies, does not come from choosing between two evils. It comes from choosing the one right, and this is always the way of sacrifice, for an individual or a nation. Your choice runs straight down the middle of the right road, from evil and darkness into the Light. Winning comes only from using sacrifice and success as synonymous terms, backed by deathless courage.–Edna Lister, Courage in Action,
Life in a Nutshell, 1942.
Keep your courage high by living in the high center of being, Oversoul.–Edna Lister, January 15, 1942.
Stumbling stones are tests to climb over. Do not grow weary or discouraged; the next time you will be stronger and it will be easier.
Never stop knocking on heaven’s door, or allow discouragement to hold you down.–Edna Lister, February 26, 1942.
You must be brave enough to follow love all the way.–Edna Lister, January 26, 1948.
Egotism becomes discouraged.–Edna Lister, April 7, 1948.
All initiations by fire require immense courage, faith and love to overcome fear. Jesus in Gethsemane is your ensample of this.–Edna Lister, December 5, 1950.
Discouragement is lack of standing in the full unconquerable faith of God.–Edna Lister, April 7, 1952.
Courage is nearly synonymous with faith, and they are unconquerable when exercised together.–Edna Lister, February 13, 1953.
Your surrender of self creates your conquering courage.–Edna Lister, June 3, 1953.
The power of an unconquerable faith takes the next step courageously in conquering faith.–Edna Lister, December 13, 1954.
Prayer keeps you constantly assured of strength and courage to meet each day’s task and to hold all gains.–Edna Lister, Black Pearls, 1954.
Courage, confidence in your ability to conquer, and a growing faith, is life’s reward for each step you take, for each obstacle you overcome along the way of destiny. You develop the courage, faith and the wisdom needed to conquer the world with each new gain in conquering the "little me" of self.
Some hew their path as they go, conquering all manners of obstacles that life seems to glory in placing before the advance of civilization. Inspired leaders develop the courage to conquer each succeeding obstacle by conquering the one standing in the middle of their path now. They forget how hard the path will be ahead, while they use all their strength to mount the barriers as they come. Courage, confidence in your ability to conquer, and a growing faith, is life’s reward for each step you take, for each obstacle you overcome along the way of destiny.–Edna Lister, Time, the Adjuster of Life, 1954.
To choose a right
way in life, you must have an inner conviction to stand, and the courage to stick to it.–Edna Lister, Your Life’s Plan, May 16, 1954.
People are discouraged because they do not want to appear awkward before the world. To dare to be wrong takes great courage, but not as much as to dare to be happy. I’m so discouraged
means that you lack courage. You are a coward!–Edna Lister, Manna From Heaven, August 21, 1955.
I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed.
–Revelation 3:18. White raiment is your sheath of protecting Light, the price of which is steadfastness in courage. Courage is the Wisdom of God upheld by the Love of God.–Edna Lister, The Open Door, November 20, 1955.
The Path of Destiny tests the soul for courage and endurance. It is very narrow and offers no place to turn around and go back.–Edna Lister, Eternal Youth, 1956.
Only the Love of God gives you the courage to choose the right way, instead of wandering in darkness, wasting time, paying debts. You cannot jump straight to the goal, but take step by courageous step. Today’s sacrifice forms your next step toward the goal.
St. Paul said, I die daily.
—1 Corinthians 15:31. You must have an inner conviction of right and be willing to stand for it. You must know what goal you want to reach before you can succeed; what you want, you desire to do, then you must want it enough to die daily
for it. So, you must be willing to suffer, to sacrifice, to face death of the little self every hour.–Edna Lister, The Three Loves, April 15, 1956.
Benaiah, the son of a valiant man…slew a lion in a pit on a snowy day.
—1 Chronicles 11:22. A pit, what a terrifying place and position! Benaiah was the "son of a valiant man," but it doesn’t say that he started as valiant. He became courageous by daring to do the impossible. You build character on strength that dares to exceed itself each time life calls upon it to do something unusual. A lion is a formidable beast. A pit on a snowy day—the pit is the subconscious, and a snowy day describes the least favorable circumstances. Benaiah couldn’t afford fear.
From the courage to act, which is daring, your fearlessness grows. Courageous souls desire to conquer all lukewarmness and indifference. Those who are afraid of losing their place do nothing, so they lose it by default as the vibration slows to nothing at all. You climb as high as your active daring and doing vibration takes you.–Edna Lister, Daring to Do, April 22, 1956.
Courage and valiance are born of the quiet irresistible power of the faith of God.–Edna Lister, Daring to Do, April 22, 1956.
The principle of faith is that steadfastness of courage that is honor.–Edna Lister, June 25, 1956.
Courage requires a balance of Wisdom and Love, with no emotion or sentiment, but with a heart that is strong. Courage bestows the ability to smile in the face of adversity, obstacles or trouble. The formula for courage is that quality of mind which meets danger with firmness, calmness, boldness and gallantry. Faith is the substance of things hoped for
to Paul. Yet to us, Faith is the absolute possession of all things hoped for,
since Jesus said, Believe that you have it and you shall.
First you must accept this, and second, you may never let it go. These are choices. You must know the truth; God cannot change the law. Then you must have the courage to dare and to do.— Edna Lister, Courage Through Faith, August 12, 1956.
You build your courage with love.–Edna Lister, November 1, 1956.
Your job is not to set a goal of competition for another to reach, for this only encourages him to outer enslavement to keep up.–Edna Lister, November 21, 1957.
Make the problems you face a source of new strength, unfailing courage and unconquerable faith. Sacrifice your sentimental attitudes and approaches to life to increase your courage.–Edna Lister, February 23, 1959.
The real gifts you can give God in service are courage, standing in steadfastness, continuity in expression and persistence in conquering self.–Edna Lister, September 27, 1959.
Courage is bravery and daring. When you act in spite of fear, bravery is a splendor. Light emanates from your heart and you are able to act in the face of harm or evil. Courage is to stand, to dare, and to do.—Edna Lister, The 33 Degrees of Soul Conquering, October 27, 1959.
The mental faculties include logic, reason and will, discrimination, discretion and discernment and courage, strength and endurance in learning obedience.–Edna Lister, Is it Right to Ask for Myself? June 14, 1960.
To walk the Via Christa, you must bear trials and temptations, which means being steadfast and having the fortitude and courage to stand and hold.–Edna Lister, How Do I Wait Upon the Lord? June 28, 1960.
A lukewarm approach to faith and lack of love in the world encourages evil to exist.–Edna Lister, November 1, 1961.
When you succumb to appearances, you become afraid and let the deadly sins of discouragement and disappointment take over. Then you must build again from the bottom until you learn to be steadfast and hold, to let nothing deter or weaken you.–Edna Lister, March 27, 1962.
The Light of God moves through all you do while you carry your cross and walk bravely. You may fall by the weight of it, but you pick yourself up and keep going.–Edna Lister, Fourteen Stations of the Cross, April 17, 1962.
You may either whine, or decide to carry your cross bravely. You will fall under its weight until you learn to assume the burden of new initiations bravely, while adjusting to life.–Edna Lister, Fourteen Stations of the Cross, April 24, 1962.
Courage is yours when you conquer fear.–Edna Lister, Love, Your Radar, November 17, 1963.
When the joy of God possesses you, its lifting quality draws all things into its radiance. It can transmute depression and discouragement into itself, for its whole reason for being is to absorb darkness into Light.–Edna Lister, Five Keys of the Kingdom, 1964.
God has always sent forth His Power to encourage people to ascend, but emotion or intellect too often takes charge.–Edna Lister, The Word, Your Magic Wand, April 12, 1964.
When your praise weakens or fades through neglect, allowing love to cool and faith to falter, you do not grow in greater strength and courage with comprehension of God’s bountiful laws unfolding for you.–Edna Lister, June 22, 1964.
The Path of Destiny tests the soul for courage and endurance. It is very narrow and offers no place to turn around and go back. Once you step onto your Path of Destiny, you sign a contract with the Source of Power, and something beyond explanation takes place. No matter what misunderstandings you encounter, no matter how much it hurts, a deathless desire takes over and you cannot quit. To dare, to do and to endure
becomes the motto you follow.–Edna Lister, Eternal Youth, 1965.
It takes dauntless courage to discard the old ways of thinking.–Edna Lister, Eternal Youth, 1965.
Your faith, courage and perseverance in action and expression come under your relationship to God. These three qualities are the stuff of which conquerors are made, the qualities of the restless soul, surging, demanding changes in life, in body, in business, in comprehension.–Edna Lister, Comprehension and Recompense, November 7, 1965.
The three primary ornaments of wisdom are love, truth and courage.–Edna Lister, November 9, 1965.
To have a new idea for a goal is the first challenge. The second challenge is facing the adverse criticism, then speculation that reaches to the horizon to support the original idea. If the challenge causes discouragement and weakness, it is well to have it happen at once.–Edna Lister, December 10, 1965.
Your courage, conviction and burning desire must grow up to match the size of your vision.–Edna Lister, Your Eternal Destiny, October 3, 1966.
Seeing the challenges you face, know that they result from what you have done, and thank God for the faith, vision and courage to know and to face them.–Edna Lister, March 13, 1968.
Courage is the ability to dare to make a stand and do something, whether the world approves or not.–Edna Lister, God Neither Slumbers Nor Sleeps, December 14, 1969.
Strength and bravery only come from knowing that what you want to do is right to do.–Edna Lister, Undated Papers, 1933-1971.
Top ↑Fear pays no dividends. To convince the subconscious mind that there is nothing to fear, repeat, God is all courage and strength.
–Edna Lister, The Light, Your Expression, November 4, 1956.
To encourage the one who is just coming up in consciousness, say, This will turn out well.
–Edna Lister, July 26, 1961.
There is a difference…between fearlessness and courage. I am of the opinion that thoughtful courage is a quality possessed by very few, but that rashness and boldness, and fearlessness, which has no forethought, are very common qualities possessed by many men, many women, many children, many animals. And you, and men in general, call by the term ‘courageous’ actions which I call rash;—my courageous actions are wise actions.–Plato, Laches.
The terrible and the hopeful are the things which do or do not create fear, and fear is not of the present, nor of the past, but is of future and expected evil.–Plato, Laches.
Courage is not the science which is concerned with the fearful and hopeful, for they are future only; courage, like the other sciences, is concerned not only with good and evil of the future, but of the present and past, and of any time.–Plato, Laches.
Courage is not only the knowledge of the hopeful and the fearful, but seems to include nearly every good and evil without reference to time.–Plato, Laches.
If a man knew all good and evil, and how they are, and have been, and will be produced, would he not be perfect, and wanting in no virtue, whether justice, or temperance, or holiness? He would possess them all, and he would know which were dangers and which were not, and guard against them whether they were supernatural or natural; and he would provide the good, as he would know how to deal both with gods or men.–Plato’s Laches.
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.–Matthew 10:16-20
Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.–Matthew 10:26-28
Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.—Matthew 10:28
But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.—Matthew 14:27
And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.–Matthew 14:29
As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.–Mark 5:36
But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.–Mark 6:49-50
I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.—Luke 12:4 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.–John 14:27 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.–John 16:33
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.–Romans 8:15
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.–Romans 8:28
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.– Romans 8:31-39
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.—Romans 15:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.—1 Corinthians 10:13
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.—1 Corinthians 15:58
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.—1 Corinthians 16:13
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.—2 Corinthians 1:3-4
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.–2 Corinthians 4:8-11
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.-2 Corinthians 5:8
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.—Ephesians 6:10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance.—Ephesians 6:10-18
According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.—Philippians 1:20
And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.–Philippians 1:28
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.—Philippians 4:6
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.–Philippians 4:13
And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.–2 Thessalonians 3:5
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.—2 Timothy 1:7
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.–Hebrews 13:5-6
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.–1 John 4:18
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.–Revelation 2:10
Top ↑Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not. And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.–Genesis 28:15-17
Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.–Exodus 14:13
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.–Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.–Deuteronomy 31:6-8
And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.–Deuteronomy 31:23
Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.–Joshua 1:6
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.–Joshua 1:7
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it.–Joshua 1:9-11
The Lord said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.–Joshua 10:8
Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.?–Joshua 10:25
And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?–Judges 6:14
David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.–1 Samuel 30:6
For thou, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.–2 Samuel 7:27
Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the Lord do that which seemeth him good.–2 Samuel 10:12
Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the Lord do that which is good in his sight.–1 Chronicles 19:13
Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the Lord charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.–1 Chronicles 22:13
David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.–1 Chronicles 28:20
Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.–2 Chronicles 15:7
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow: and he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and slew him with his own spear.–2 Samuel 23:20-21
O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. And all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the Lord in the midst of the congregation; And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.–2 Chronicles 20:12-17
Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: 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 rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. …And the Lord sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword. Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side.–2 Chronicles 32:7-8, 21-22
I was strengthened as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.–Ezra 7:28
Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.–Ezra 10:4
Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.–Esther 4:15-16
I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.–Psalm 16:8
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.–Psalm 23
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?–Psalm 27:1
Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.–Psalm 27:3
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.–Psalm 27:13-14
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.–Psalm 31:24
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.–Psalm 56:3-4
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.–Psalm 91:5-6
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.–Psalm 112:7
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?–Psalm 118:6
In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.–Psalm 138:3
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.–Proverbs 3:5-6
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.–Proverbs 28:1
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.–Isaiah 12:2
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.–Isaiah 26:3
And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.–Isaiah 28:6
Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.–Isaiah 35:4
They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.–Isaiah 41:6
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.–Isaiah 41:10-13
Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame.–Isaiah 54:4
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.–Isaiah 54:17
And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words.–Ezekiel 2:6
Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with thee? I the Lord have spoken it, and will do it.–Ezekiel 22:14
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.–Daniel 3:16-18
And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.–Daniel 10:19
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Edna Miriam Lister1884—1971
The original Pioneering Mystic,
Christian Platonist philosopher, American Idealist, Founder, Society of the Universal Living Christ, minister, teacher, author, wife, and mother.
Etymology of courage: Vulgar Latin coraticum, from Latin cor, heart.
Courage is a soul faculty.
Courage is a Via Christa Degree.
Courage is a virtue.
Quotes
A man may have the courage of a lion in attack and self-defence (such courage being a human virtue), but he will not thereby be rendered supremely happy; but he whose courage is of that divine kind which enables him to transcend both attack and defence, and to remain mild, serene, and lovable under attack, such a man will thereby be rendered supremely happy.–James Allen
We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.–Martin Luther King, Jr., Antidotes for Fear
Familiarity with danger makes a brave man braver, but less daring.–Herman Melville, White-Jacket
References
Allen, James. From Passion to Peace. New York: Thomas Crowell & Co. 1910, p. 45..
American Heritage Dictionary, 5th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016. ISBN 9780544454453.
Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, 2024.
The Holy Bible. King James Version (KJV).
King, Martin Luther, Jr. Antidotes for Fear,
Strength to Love, Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1981.
Melville, Herman. White-Jacket; or, The World in a Man-of-War, Chapter 23. Evanston, IL: Northwestern University Press, p. 95, 1892.
Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. 2024
Webster, Noah. Courage,
Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language. Two volumes. New York: S. Converse, 1828.
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