Being Whole: 21 Days to Overcoming Relational TraumaSample

COURAGE:

Courage is the ability to do something while experiencing fear and doubt. It takes enormous courage to heal. We think healing is welcomed. No, we often desire relief, not healing. Healing requires the courage to no longer use your past to hold you hostage from your future. What do I mean? There is so much fear involved letting go of our past and embracing our future. Our defense mechanisms have to go, the walls we put up to protect ourselves have to go, and we must now walk with hope, trust, and faith. These three are foundational for courage.

When it comes to overcoming trauma, courage plays a vital role in the healing process. Trauma can leave us feeling powerless and vulnerable, but it takes courage to confront the pain and work through the difficult emotions that arise as a result. Courage involves facing our fears and acting in the face of adversity, even when it is uncomfortable or painful. It means being willing to step out of our comfort zones and to take risks in pursuit of healing and growth. Having courage does not mean that we will never feel afraid or uncertain, but it means that we are willing to face those feelings head-on and to move forward despite them. Ultimately, the purpose of courage when overcoming trauma is to help us reclaim our power and agency, to overcome the negative effects of the trauma, and to move forward towards a brighter and more fulfilling future.

Questions to Ponder:

What I love about courage is that it is an act. Courage emerges in the face of fear. What is your typical action when you are afraid? How can you cultivate “knowing” God is with you? It’s that knowing that makes room for courage.