B e C o u r a g e o u s , B e S t r o n g
Susan Cain wrote an article in PSYCHOLOGY TODAY recalling times in childhood and adulthood when we all would’ve liked to act more bravely, but couldn’t muster the courage. Maybe we weren’t “lion-hearted” or “quick-witted” enough, or thought it was just for more “noble” souls, or for the world’s “daredevils” —unlike us.
Being of courage helps us grow and give, and is available to all of us. It involves understanding what courage really is and training ourselves to perform small, daily acts of bravery. Practicing courage is a habit, a muscle you can exercise. Most of us aren’t born courageous, so we shouldn’t expect to acquire it without practice. Brene Brown reminds us that "courage is a habit, a virtue: You get it by courageous acts. You learn to swim by swimming; you learn courage by couraging.”
The Bible certainly speaks about it, too. Paul reminds us in FIRST CORINTHIANS 16:13, “Be on your guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.”
John adds in FIRST JOHN 4:18, “There is no fear in love. Perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
Rhett Power offers us ten practical suggestions to live a more courageous life:
1. EMBRACE VULNERABILITY
If you feel afraid of other people seeing who you are, open up and become more vulnerable.
2. ADMIT HAVING FEARS
Identifying what you are truly afraid of gives you the information you need to overcome the fears and insecurities.
3. FACE YOUR FEARS
People who feel afraid of snakes often change their minds after handling snakes with the help of a trained professional.
4. THINK POSITIVELY
Part of a positive attitude is allowing others to love you and show you affection.
5. REDUCE STRESS
Make sure you eat well, get enough sleep and exercise. Take your vacation time. We all need a break.
6. DEMONSTRATE COURAGE
Another important way to overcome fear is to show your courage. Instead of ignoring a person in distress, call for help or take bold step to intervene.
7. KNOW FAILURE, BUT PRESS ON
If you fail, keep moving forward. If you fail, keep moving forward. If you fail, keep moving forward.
8. COPE WITH RISK AND UNCERTAINTY
If you fear losing your home to a foreclosure, set up an emergency savings account.
9. KEEP LEARNING
Continue to grow by constantly trying to learn and improve your skills. The more you know, the less risk you have to take to be successful.
10. ACCEPT YOUR CHALLENGES
Stay on the course even after confronting challenges and fears. Most fears never come to pass.
If fear is driving your decisions, or stopping you from what you want to courageously try, call CHRISTIAN COUNSELING CENTER at (203) 846-4626 to see one of our counselors. When fears are shared with someone you trust, new light is shed on the problem. We can move forward with our lives.
As we begin interacting more freely, all of us at CCC extend our heartfelt Mothers and Fathers day wishes. May God bless you, keep you and may His face shine upon you.
