Courage

Have you ever considered yourself to lack courage? 

Disappointed in yourself because you wouldn’t “step out” or step up when you felt the urge?

Disappointed in yourself because you didn’t try something you wanted to do?

Well, I’m pretty sure everyone has felt these feelings.

Where does courage come from?  How do some people seem to just muster up the courage and go forward, when some of us just can’t seem to get to that point?

Let’s look at it a little bit.

What is it that you want?  What do you want to do?

During the time of my divorce, a hundred years ago it seems, I found myself running my household, raising kids, making decisions… on my own.

When a problem presented itself, I couldn’t blame anyone for it not getting taken care of.  When the commode wouldn’t flush, I needed it fixed.  So I checked it out, was able to figure out what the problem was, went to the hardware store and talked to the person there about fixing it.

It’s amazing that we can actually overcome a problem when we set our mind to it.  First, we need to examine the problem, then figure out what could fix it.  Then, take the first step.  And know, people want to support you.  The hardware store people were very helpful to me.

Some concrete in the fireplace wall was cracked, and a piece was coming loose.  So I went to the building supply store and told them my issue, and explained I just needed a little bit of the “quick-crete” to fix it.  I can’t remember their smallest size but it was 50 or 60 pounds I think. 

They offered to give me names of contractors I could contact to get a little bit, which I was thankful for.  But then they decided they’d just break a bag for me, and they did.  People truly do want to help support you when you’re courageous enough to move forward.

I had no tools, and would not know how to use them anyway, and I just used my hands to form the concrete into the wall.  Well, yes, the skin on my fingers sloughed off for a few days or so.  But the wall was good, and I had accomplished what I wanted.

These are a couple of examples, but things like this helped me to see that I actually could do things on my own.

I’ll have to say, before these incidents I’ve shared, I never had the confidence that I could solve most problems like those that came up.  I sure didn’t know how to fix anything. 

And these things (plus prayer) helped me realize I could actually make things happen to solve problems I wasn’t familiar with overcoming.

And those things kept coming up, and they began building my courage-muscles so eventually we could build a business from scratch, and now allow me to build another one.  With no background in business knowledge except secretarial work.

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I think the number one thing we need to know is What do I want?

If you want it “enough”, then you should be able to figure out what the solution could be.  Then, figure out what steps you can take to succeed at that solution.  I think those things then give you the courage to step forward and get those steps done.

That sounds too simple.  But that same formula can help you in most problems you want to overcome.  And I think the first step is probably what starts your courage-meter.  What do you want to do?  And it boils down to actually, How Much do you Want it?

Once that’s done, it should build your courage to be able to move forward with figuring out the real problem.  Then I think it’s almost automatic to begin to figure out a way to solve that problem, and truly, this just sets you up to move forward to actually get the work done, that solves the problem.

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If you have a problem of no energy, or no time, or feelings of overwhelm, or overcoming an illness or health issue…

1.     Figure out what you REALLY do want.  Make it REAL to you.  Believe that it’s possible for you to reach that goal—because that’s the truth.  It is possible.  Believe it.

2.     What is the problem for why you don’t have that energy, or that time, or that good health?  For example,

a.      What could be causing you to have no energy?  Are you taking care of yourself? Eating good food? Resting? Sleeping at night? 

b.     Don’t know what’s causing it?  Experiment on yourself.  You CAN figure it out.  (Also, I can support you here, but YOU can do it.)

c.      Decide what steps it will take to change the problem into a solution.

d.     You will have the courage at this point to believe you can make those steps.  So go ahead and get started.

e.      Solve your problem.  Reach your goal.  Be amazed.

3.     If your problem is not having enough time… for example, do this test exercise:

a.      You can figure out why this problem exists.  As much as you don’t want to, get out a calendar—any kind that shows your time by the hour.  Then use a paper notebook, and write down everything you do.  Everything.  This is important.  Not particularly an easy task.  But necessary.

b.     For each item in the list of everything you do, write down how much time you need to spend on accomplishing it.

c.      Fit this list into your calendar.

d.     Most people see that this list won’t fit into their test calendar.

e.      So, now you’ve discovered why your problem exists.  Just like you can’t fit a square peg into a round hole, the reason you can’t get everything done is because it’s impossible to do, without adjusting your list of things you do.

f.       Solution:  You must see what things are necessary and absolutely important to you.  You must cut out the things that don’t fit.

g.     Another major thing that will help you reach your success, is to ask God to help you with your journey.

h.     Something else that is absolutely important, is putting space in your time calendar for “rest” during the day.  Even if it’s only 10 minutes.  Between appointments, or tasks, or as many times as you can work it in.  This one thing can bring you to success, or failure.

i.       This test calendar exercise completed, even though I KNOW it’s very hard, will give you knowledge and courage to actually be successful in your ability to run your life.

j.       Success.  Enjoy your time.  You have just eliminated your continual feelings of failure in getting “everything” done.

My personal experiences I’ve shared helped me learn I could move my life forward in other areas.  I learned to overcome in lots of ways.  I’m still learning, working on overcoming things in this very moment.

I think lack of courage to change may come from not having a plan.  And we can’t have a good plan if we haven’t examined the root of the problem, and figured out a possible solution.

Don’t be disappointed in yourself.  You are unique and precious.  Your life is precious.  Don’t ever think you are not courageous.

If you think your life is different, and you can’t get your life in the shape you want, talk to me, and let’s figure it out.  I will happily support you.

Our lives are meant to live.  We can enjoy our lives.  We don’t have to be overwhelmed.  We don’t have to be rushing and pushing all the time.  We can figure it out.  Each of us has different situations in our lives, and we each have different solutions.  We can each figure it out.

Again, if you would like help or support, just let me know.

Thank you for reading.  I hope this helps you take courage in growing and making changes in your life.

Sharon

●     Isaiah 41:10: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand".

●     Philippians 4:13: "I can do all this through him who gives me strength".

●     2 Timothy 1:7: "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline".