Courage To Change the Things I Can (my “C” alphabet writing challenge word)

cour·age 

noun  
ˈkər-ij, ˈkə-rij\                                               

                                                                                                        

: the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous

:  mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty

When I hear the word courage or receive the instruction to be courageous I have a strong image of the Lion in the Wizard of Oz and his longing for courage. In many ways we all have some of the Lion in us in our own desire to be courageous. To be filled with courage would eliminate room for fear to dwell in us.

To need courage in the context of the serenity prayer’s direction to change the things I can needs to include the next direction, to have wisdom. When changing anything you can, you must have the gift of wisdom to know the right changes to make and the other changes that should not be made. One without the other can lead to all kinds of havoc and mistakes.

What an immense blessing to have both the gifts of wisdom and courage. Personally, I get all twisted up in the discernment of which is which and how to tell if they are real or imaginary. I worry that when I am inspired with courage and wisdom to take action that it is my own will rather than God’s will.

Worse is to acknowledge that just being serene and accepting things and circumstances as they are when God could be the one nudging me with sparks of courage to make some changes. I certainly hope I would never ignore God, but I fear that I have inadvertently. It is almost like translating a foreign language to understand the messages and the context they are intended for.

God’s Book reassures me:
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”