Christian Courage: Your Next Faithful Step

Courage does not always feel confident. It may mean asking a question, telling the truth, seeking help or beginning again. Use these seven reflections at your own pace. They invite faithful action shaped by love and wisdom; they do not promise that every outcome will be easy or successful.

Bible readings: Psalm 56:3–4; Mark 9:14–29; James 1:5; Proverbs 15:22; Acts 4:13–20; John 21:15–19; Hebrews 12:1–3

The full passages are printed beside the teaching below. Scripture quotations use the World English Bible British Edition (WEB), a public-domain translation in modern English. The reflections, exercises and prayers are original ANCC material.

Day 1: Bring fear into the conversation

Psalm 56:3–4 — WEB

3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.

4 In God, I praise his word. In God, I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

Read Psalm 56:3–4. The psalmist names fear and turns towards trust. Faith does not require pretending fear is absent. You can be honest with God about what feels threatening.

Name one fear in ordinary language. Is there an actual danger requiring protection, or an uncertainty you may be able to approach with support? Those situations need different responses. Courage is not ignoring a warning sign.

Reflect and act: What am I afraid might happen? Tell God honestly, then identify one safe person who could help you assess the situation.

Day 2: Begin with the faith you have

Mark 9:14–29 — WEB

14 Coming to the disciples, he saw a great multitude around them, and scribes questioning them.

15 Immediately all the multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him, greeted him.

16 He asked the scribes, “What are you asking them?”

17 One of the multitude answered, “Teacher, I brought to you my son, who has a mute spirit;

18 and wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they weren’t able.”

19 He answered him, “Unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me.”

20 They brought him to him, and when he saw him, immediately the spirit convulsed him and he fell on the ground, wallowing and foaming at the mouth.

21 He asked his father, “How long has it been since this has been happening to him?” He said, “From childhood.

22 Often it has cast him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

24 Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “I believe. Help my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!”

26 After crying out and convulsing him greatly, it came out of him. The boy became like one dead, so much that most of them said, “He is dead.”

27 But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him up; and he arose.

28 When he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?”

29 He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but by prayer and fasting.”

Read Mark 9:14–29. The father brings both hope and struggle to Jesus. His honest request makes room for help. You do not have to invent certainty before praying or asking a Christian question.

Write the question you most want to explore. It might concern Jesus, a difficult Bible passage or how to trust after disappointment. Asking respectfully can be a courageous step.

Reflect and act: What would I ask if I did not need to appear confident? Read the passage again and arrange one conversation about that question.

Day 3: Ask for wisdom before speed

James 1:5 — WEB

5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Read James 1:5. Seeking wisdom means accepting that we do not see everything. A decision may need information, prayer and appropriate advice rather than an immediate dramatic answer.

List what you know, what you are assuming and what you still need to find out. Consider how the choice affects other people. A feeling of urgency is not by itself proof that God is directing a particular action.

Reflect and act: What fact would change my decision? Find that fact before committing to the larger step.

Day 4: Let others help you think

Proverbs 15:22 — WEB

22 Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counsellors they are established.

Read Proverbs 15:22. Wise counsel gives a decision more than one perspective. Choose people who can listen, tell the truth and recognise the limits of their expertise.

For legal, medical, financial or safeguarding matters, relevant professional advice may be needed. Pastoral encouragement can accompany that advice rather than replacing it. You may also need to question counsel that pressures you to disregard safety or conscience.

Reflect and act: Who can offer a perspective I am missing? Ask them one clear question and listen carefully to the answer.

Day 5: Practise truthful, loving speech

Acts 4:13–20 — WEB

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled. They recognised that they had been with Jesus.

14 Seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred amongst themselves,

16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? Because indeed a notable miracle has been done through them, as can be plainly seen by all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we can’t deny it.

17 But so that this spreads no further amongst the people, let’s threaten them, that from now on they don’t speak to anyone in this name.”

18 They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves,

20 for we can’t help telling the things which we saw and heard.”

Read Acts 4:13–20. Peter and John speak about what they have witnessed even under opposition. Their courage is rooted in loyalty to Jesus, not in winning approval.

In ordinary life, truthful speech may involve admitting a mistake, refusing dishonesty or explaining your faith without insulting another person. Courage and gentleness can belong together.

Reflect and act: What truth needs to be spoken, and how can I speak it with care? Prepare one respectful sentence. Choose a suitable time and setting, with support where needed.

Day 6: Take responsibility and begin again

John 21:15–19 — WEB

15 So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

18 Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”

19 Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

Read John 21:15–19 alongside Peter’s earlier denial of Jesus. Jesus’s conversation with Peter points towards renewed service. A past failure need not be the final description of a life.

Beginning again is more than saying the past does not matter. It can include receiving grace, making appropriate repair and taking responsibility for what comes next. Trust may need time to rebuild.

Reflect and act: Which small responsibility can I carry faithfully today? Choose one action that expresses change rather than another grand promise.

Day 7: Continue without comparing your pace

Hebrews 12:1–3 — WEB

1 Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with perseverance the race that is set before us,

2 looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don’t grow weary, fainting in your souls.

Read Hebrews 12:1–3. The picture is sustained endurance with attention fixed on Jesus. A faithful path is not always a quick sprint or a visible achievement.

Review the week: Which step helped? Where do you need a slower pace or more support? Let the answer shape what comes next. Another person’s public success tells you little about the responsibilities and difficulties behind it.

Reflect and act: Choose one practice to continue for the coming week. Share it with someone who will encourage rather than shame you.

Prayer and a group conversation

Pray: Jesus, help me face the next step with honesty, love and wisdom. Give me courage to ask for help, patience to prepare well and faithfulness to continue. Keep me from confusing recklessness with trust. Amen.

For a group, discuss one passage and one practical question per meeting. People can pass on sharing. Celebrate a responsible next step, whether it is acting, waiting, seeking advice or choosing safety.

Continue exploring

All Nations Community Church, Leeds. Read at your own pace, individually or with others. To keep a copy, use your browser’s print menu and choose Save as PDF.

Scroll to Top