What does the Bible teach about courage?

what does the bible say?

One of the Hebrew words translated courage means "to show oneself strong." The Bible abounds with stories of courage. Moses was courageous when he confronted the pharaoh of Egypt and commanded him to let God's people go. Joshua was courageous when he conquered Canaan. Young David was courageous when he faced and fell the giant Philistine, Goliath. The most important thing the Bible says about courage is what ought to be the basis of our courage. It is the promise of God's presence, power, and perseverance with those who have put their faith in Him which is the basis for our courage. Biblically speaking, we can only be courageous by having faith and confidence in the fact that God is with us and for us. Not only does such confidence inspire courage but it dispels our fears.

from the old testament

When Moses appointed Joshua as his successor to lead the Israelites, he said to Joshua, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed" (Deuteronomy 31:7–8). God calls Joshua not to fear because He is with him. This same type of language is used repeatedly in the Bible (Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 41:10).When King David encourages his son Solomon to build the temple, he calls Solomon to be courageous to do it because God is with Him: "Then David said to Solomon his son, 'Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished'" (1 Chronicles 28:20).

from the new testament

Jesus, who is God in the flesh, admonished His followers frequently not to be afraid but to believe in Him. For example, He said, "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me" (John 14:1).In John 14:27, God calls His people not to be troubled or afraid because He has given us His peace. We can have courage because He is with us.Jesus encouraged His disciples with words like, "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20) and "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).Jesus promised the Holy Spirit who would live with believers forever (John 14:16–17; Ephesians 1:13–14). This Holy Spirit would strengthen believers to persevere even through suffering and persecution.Paul similarly credits our relationship with God through Jesus Christ as the basis for our courage when he says, "If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? … Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Romans 8:31–37).The writer of Hebrews similarly affirms, "for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:5–6).

implications for today

True courage is rooted in the assurance of God’s unwavering presence and love. It’s more than just overcoming fear or pushing through difficult circumstances—it’s standing firm in the reality that God’s triune nature (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) surrounds, empowers, and sustains us. The Father’s sovereign plan guides us, the Son’s sacrificial love secures us, and the Spirit’s indwelling presence strengthens us. Romans 8:35–39 reminds us that nothing—no hardship, persecution, or spiritual power—can separate us from the love of God in Christ. When we grasp this truth, we’re emboldened to live with confidence and purpose, trusting that God is actively working for our good and His glory in every situation. This conviction transforms our approach to life, enabling us to face adversity, uncertainty, and even failure with a peace and courage that come from knowing we are eternally loved and never alone. As we remind ourselves that His love for us is unbreakable and that His presence is constant, we are freed from trying to control outcomes or avoid failure at all costs. Instead, we can boldly live by faith in God, knowing that whether we succeed or struggle, He is with us and for us. Each day we can choose to lean into His strength, trusting that no challenge or setback can separate us from His love. This gives us the courage to embrace new opportunities, confront difficult situations, and live confidently in the truth of who we are in Christ.