Embracing Courage: Unleashing Your Inner Strength

If you've known me for any length of time, you'd know that sports and physical fitness hold a special place in my heart, particularly basketball. From a young age, basketball provided a sanctuary for me. Being good at it and having the support of others boosted my confidence and courage. When I was recruited to play for Trevecca Nazarene University in high school, I was thrilled to join the team as a starry-eyed freshman, ready to give it my all. Unfortunately, I soon learned that I was going to be red-shirted my first year.

While the Trevecca coach recognized my potential and felt that I deserved a chance to play my first year; I was still forced to sit out. It was incredibly discouraging to hear those words, but I didn’t quit. Instead of choosing to wallow in discouragement, I spent all my spare time in the gym, shooting an excessive number of hoops every day. I even met my husband in that gym!?

My hard work and dedication paid off because I ended up playing the most minutes in Trevecca history over the next four years. I excelled on the court and found great joy in leading the team. As I look back, I am so thankful that red-shirted freshman didn’t give up her dream, but instead found the courage to press on and work harder to achieve her goals.

What is Courage?

In Exodus chapter 9, God was in the middle of inflicting various plagues on the Egyptians because of Pharaoh’s disbelief. Moses had asked Pharaoh numerous times for the Israelites to be set free from their life of slavery to the Egyptians, but Pharaoh kept saying no. Naturally, Moses was feeling rather discouraged by this point.?

In Exodus 9:16, God encouraged Moses and told him, “But I have raised you up?for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

What an encouragement! Not only have we been called for a purpose, but we have been called according to His purpose. We can have courage to face the hard things in life because we know God, in His mighty power, has His purpose in mind for our lives. We can find the courage to face the challenges of life knowing that God's mighty power is at work in us. Just as He showed His power through Moses, He will show His power through us.

Remember, this truth is not limited to Moses alone. It applies to each and every one of us. We have all been called for a purpose, according to God's plan. We can draw on this truth to find courage in the face of adversity. When self-doubt creeps in (as it often does for all of us), I am reminded of what God revealed in Exodus 9. He could have easily wiped out Pharaoh and the nation of Egypt, but instead, He chose (and still chooses) to work through His people to make Himself known and to give them courage.

Finding Courage

In my experience, courage can look different from person to person. We must find our inner courage and discover what drives us to keep moving forward. Sometimes courage is being brave and trying something new and hard. If everything was easy, everyone would do it! Other times, courage looks like failing and getting back up again and again. Failure can be one of the highlights of life if we are able to learn from it and still have the courage to continue.?

We aren’t perfect people, and we need to remember that life is about making progress, not obtaining perfection. Too often we let fear hold us back from having courage to move forward in life. My life’s mission is to help others change their perspective and their mindset. We get the most out of life when we are challenged.?This is where true joy is—when we have the courage to accomplish something we never thought possible.

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the triumph over it. It's about acknowledging our fears, yet choosing to act despite them. Every day presents us with the opportunity to choose courage. It starts when we find ourselves grappling with a decision, and we have a thousand reasons to give up, but we choose to move forward with faith and strength. Courage is a muscle that grows stronger with each use, and it's within each and every one of us. Choosing courage means trusting ourselves and having faith in God’s purpose for our lives. God is still working through us like He did Moses—for His glory and purpose. Don’t lose faith in the journey; it will all turn out for His glory!

Putting Courage into Practice

I’ve spent many years now in higher education. While the students’ names and faces change over the years, the challenges they face remain remarkably consistent. From feeling overwhelmed and on the verge of giving up, to being easily discouraged by the obstacles that inevitably arise in our degree programs, to feeling like life's difficulties have become too much to bear and they consider throwing in the towel.

Having seen these themes repeatedly, I have developed a set of tools and tips to help students navigate these difficult times. It is my mission to help students keep going, no matter what life has thrown at them. God has them here for a purpose, and he will give these students the courage to persevere.

1. Mindset Matters

As long as we are on this earth, we will face challenges. Life won’t ever be trouble-free. But we can adapt, grow, and handle the challenges with courage because it’s what we are called to do. We can adjust our mindset to focus on our “why” and to get rid of any negative self-talk. This doesn’t mean we can’t have feelings about how hard life is, but we can choose to act with courage and realize the journey is 100% worth it.

As Theodore Roosevelt famously stated, "Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty... I have never envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and overcame them." This quote prompts the question: can you think of individuals who exemplify this courage by facing tough challenges and emerging stronger for it?

I know I can … I have seen courage arise when we choose not to let life's challenges dictate our next decisions and future actions. As a professor, I have witnessed numerous examples of courage among my students and despite facing incredible adversity, these students chose to confront their challenges head-on, refusing to be defeated by their circumstances. For instance, one of my students battled cancer, and though she had three treatments in a single week, she remained unwavering in her commitment to complete her assignments on time. Another student experienced a traumatic event during their studies but refused to let it define their future, pushing through their grief with remarkable resilience.

I have also seen students who acknowledge their shortcomings but remain steadfast in their determination to improve. Even outside of the classroom, I have witnessed courage in action. My daughter, for instance, has a rare eye condition that affects her ability to track moving objects. Despite this challenge, she decided to participate in basketball and volleyball, refusing to let her condition hold her back from pursuing her passions. These acts of courage serve as a testament to the power of the human spirit and the limitless potential that lies within each of us.

At its core, courage is a mindset and a choice. It is the willingness to face one's fears and overcome obstacles, no matter how daunting they may seem. Through the examples of my students and my own daughter, I have seen firsthand the transformative power of courage, and the incredible things that can be achieved when we choose to embrace it.

2. Break it Down and Climb the Mountain

Many students come to me feeling anxious and overwhelmed over huge assignments. Often, they see the huge mountain in front of them and are paralyzed, unable to see that they can break the mountain into small, doable steps. I’m able to walk them through the process of breaking down the assignment, making checklists, and finding a way for them to slowly climb the mountain.

When I was in college, I’d give up sleep to get a paper done. I’d set small goals and then reward myself for hard work. I’m able to help students figure out things they can give up, or how to better organize their time, in order to reach their goals. By teaching students to break down daunting assignments into manageable steps, I am able to show them that courage is not just a mindset, but a practical tool for success. Through this process, they learn that even the biggest challenges can be conquered one step at a time, and that with each small victory, their confidence and courage grow. Once students realize they can climb the mountain in front of them, real courage is born.

3. Follow the Examples of Others

Throughout my life, I have been fortunate to have people who have been instrumental in my growth and encouraged me to persevere. From my high school coach who believed in my potential, to my supportive father who was always by my side, to my college basketball coach who mentored me, to my best friend who has been a constant source of inspiration. These individuals have shaped my journey and instilled in me the importance of paying it forward by encouraging others.

The impact of a single person can be life-changing, and we have the power to empower others in the same way. When we create a cycle of encouragement, it becomes an unbreakable force. At Trevecca, we strive to build a strong community that empowers people to help one another. By shifting our focus from ourselves to serving others, that is where we find true leadership.

As you have probably learned by now, I love to reflect, read, and find people and quotes that inspire and encourage. So today I will leave you with another favorite quote of mine by Winston Churchill: "Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts."?May we always have the courage to continue and inspire others to do the same!

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Dr. Kristin Bledsoe is a leadership educator currently serving as an Academic Dean for the School of Leadership and Interdisciplinary Studies at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee. She is also an associate professor, teaching in multiple programs from associate to doctorate level, with a strong understanding of online learning, teaching, and engagement. Kristin is committed to enhancing the student experience and overall student success. She recently co-authored and published an article on Mentoring New Online Graduate Teaching Assistance in Taylor & Francis' Online Journal. Kristin's most recent certifications have been as an Emotional Intelligence Practitioner and Cognitive Behavioral Life Coach. Currently, she is going through Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association's (TICUA) Executive Leadership Institute.