Cowardice and Courage
I have moments engraved in my mind where I chose not to act out of fear, and they have haunted me ever since. As I've thought about them, I've begun to realize that the fear that kept me from acting was insignificant, unreasonable, and even laughable.
There were moments I didn't volunteer to serve, didn't say yes to an opportunity, didn't follow my passion, stifled a strong conviction all because of some vague, cowardly fear. People say hindsight is 20/20, and it's a sign of maturity to look back and learn from those moments. But even now I still fall into the trap of cowering from something because of a fear that may never even materialize or be a real possibility.
The interesting thing is that courageous people have the same fears. They just choose to act instead of cower. By definition, courage cannot exist without fear. Doing it scared. Doing it while thinking you can't. Doing it while feeling unworthy. Doing it despite every reason not to that is still courage.
When we simplify courage down to a choice, it becomes much more manageable. We can begin to break the fear down, play out the worst case scenario, and often realize it's laughable. We've all seen a kid too scared to tell a waiter their order. [As a parent, I get frustrated in those moments because I can see so clearly what my daughters cannot: there is no real threat here. No outcome that can harm them in any way. The fear is completely disproportionate to the reality.] And then I look at my own fears. Not posting a video because some internet troll hundreds of miles away might say something mean. Not sending an email to introduce myself and propose a collaboration because they might not respond. The fears are different but the irrationality is the same.
Fear is a fascinating thing. It's powerful, controlling, and deeply deceptive, yet it is always just one decision, one action, away from being defeated.
Here are a few things I work through when I feel that pit in my stomach, the legs going numb, the palms sweating, the fear starting to take over.
Articulate the fear. What exactly am I afraid of in this moment? Is it a reasonable fear? Is this actually worthy of my fear? What is the worst case scenario? Play it all the way out. What happens if I choose to act regardless? What would I tell my kid or my best friend to do in this situation because stepping outside yourself forces you to look at it clearly, focused on the person rather than the feeling. And finally: life is short. Regret is guaranteed if I don't act.
Working through those questions out loud, or even just on paper, has helped me dismantle fears I had been carrying for years. I recognize there are legitimate fears that cause real distress, and I am not minimizing those. I am talking about the ones we accept too willingly, the fears that quietly govern our decisions without ever being examined.
The fear of judgment, especially from people we don't even know or respect, when in reality the people we do know and respect will likely support us anyway. The fear of failure, which has consumed me at times, even though failure is not the end. It is tangible evidence of growth and proximity to success. And the fear of perception being seen as different, weird, or unsuccessful.
One note here: those who have zero regard for how others perceive them can sometimes be dangerous people. If your goal is to get rich by taking advantage of everyone around you, a little fear of how your character is perceived might actually serve you well. Also, better goals.
But the broader point stands. We limit ourselves with imaginary boundaries built out of vague and abstract fears. If you are sitting in a place of distress because of inaction and regret, breaking those fears down with reason is a significant step in the right direction.
There is a quote that says fear has killed more dreams than failure ever could. So if you are looking for a sign to say yes to the big adventure, to start the business, to start writing, to post the videos, to pursue the promotion, get the degree, join the club, join the Bible study, host the event, or whatever it might be here is your sign. Go for it. You are one decision away.
As vital as overcoming fear is for our goals and ambitions, it is actually far more important in our faith. Let me explain.
A Biblical Perspective
Sometimes a verse will stop me completely. This newsletter exists because of one of those moments. I came across it and could not move past it: cowards do not enter heaven. I sat with that for a while. What does coward mean here? Is this literal? Figurative? Here is the verse.
Revelation 21:8 — "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars — they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."
Read that list again. The cowardly are grouped alongside murderers, the vile, and the sexually immoral. That is not a list most of us expect to find ourselves on. And yet there it is. It also suggests these are cowardly believers specifically, since the unbelieving are named immediately after as a distinct group. Meaning this is not about those who never knew God. It is about those who did, and still chose fear over faithfulness.
So when it comes to cowardice in our faith, we should pay close attention. God calls us to be courageous and act boldly. To share the gospel, to stand firm in the faith, to persevere through suffering in his name. We expect the consequences described for murderers and the vile. But what about the person who was too scared to go on that mission trip, to lift their hands in worship, to fall on their knees and surrender, to pray with a hurting person, to share the gospel, to pray in public, or to speak up when someone mocks God and believers? Those have all been me, by the way.
This is why that verse hit me so hard.
Here is what I've found in Scripture. There is only one thing truly worthy of fear, and that is God. Not a cowering, anxious fear, but a reverent awe rooted in who he is. The Bible tells us not to fear or be afraid over a hundred times. But what does it call us to fear?
Proverbs tells us the fear of God is the beginning of all wisdom. Paul's letter to the Philippians tells us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.
The important distinction is that fearing God is nothing like fearing an unpredictable or abusive parent. It is not the fear of not knowing how he will react on any given day. It is reverence. It is recognizing that he alone is worthy of it.
When we are in Christ, the battle has already been won. We know the outcome. We have a place in eternity with the living God who created the universe. And even if we were cowardly before surrendering to Jesus, we become courageous because of him.
2 Timothy 1:7 — "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
So if we are acting fearfully or timidly toward anything in this world, that is not from God. That is from our flesh, or from the enemy himself trying to derail what God is doing in your life.
So how do we work through it? The same framework applies. Articulate the fear — and if it is not God or a genuine concern for the health of the church, it should not stop you. Ask whether it is reasonable, whether it is worthy of fear. Play out the worst case scenario, and recognize that in matters of faith, the worst case is almost always inaction. Ask what it looks like to act regardless it probably means choosing obedience over feelings, relying on him instead of yourself. Step outside yourself and consider what you would tell someone you love to do. And remember that life is short, and we have a small window to play a part in advancing the Kingdom of God on earth. We are not saved and then asked to simply wait around. We are on a mission.
Here is something I have noticed about myself. If someone on stage at church tells me to stand up, I stand up. Sit down, I sit down. Raise your hand, I raise it. I follow the instructions of a person on a stage without a second thought.
But when the God of the universe tells me to lift my hands in worship and make a joyful noise, I hesitate because someone nearby might think I'm strange.
Psalm 134:2 — "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord."
Psalm 100 — "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord."
I am genuinely convinced of this, and not just in worship. In prayer, in serving, in speaking up. How often do I submit to what the world expects in hopes of fitting in, while quietly setting aside what God has asked of me? The creator of the universe came to this earth and died on a cross so that I could be in relationship with him, and I still choose worldly fear over godly courage.
It comes back to what I said earlier. It is one decision away. One act of obedience. Choosing faith in him instead of fear in myself. There is no losing when you act faithfully and obediently. There may be trials. There may be pushback or even persecution for standing firm. But Scripture tells us that is actually a sign of being blessed.
Matthew 5:10-12 — "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
The contrast is clear. Acting with courage, faithfulness, and obedience to God's word — especially when we are scared, reluctant, and uncertain leads to the kingdom of heaven. Acting cowardly leads somewhere else entirely.
This does not mean the action itself saves you or the inaction damns you. It is always about the heart. Acting faithfully when we are anxious and unwilling is a sign that our heart is surrendering to God. Acting cowardly, letting fear of worldly things keep us from obedience, can be an indicator that our heart has not yet fully submitted to him.
The good news is that the more you lean into God and rely on his Spirit, the more courageous you become because of him. So how do we get there?
I have three words written on my whiteboard at work that I truly believe has been transformative in my life. I see them every morning, and most mornings I need them. They are my daily prayer, broken into three simple asks.
Wisdom — God, give me wisdom to know your will today. See James 1:5: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
Courage — God, give me the courage to act on it. See Joshua 1:9: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Discipline — God, give me the discipline to keep doing it even when I don't want to or it gets hard. See 1 Peter 4:7: "Therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers."
This topic sits heavy on my heart. At the end of it all, the goal is simple: to hear the words "well done, my good and faithful servant."
That is it. That is the finish line worth running toward. Acting on faith means doing things you may not feel comfortable with, do not fully understand, or do not necessarily want to do. But that discomfort is often the evidence that something real is happening, that your heart is being shaped, your will is being surrendered, and the Spirit is doing what only the Spirit can do. One decision. One act of obedience. That is where it starts.
Until next time,
Cam