Courage Begins Before Confidence
Many people believe confidence must come first.
They think they will apply for the opportunity when they feel qualified, speak up when they no longer feel nervous, or pursue the dream when they are certain they will succeed.
But confidence rarely arrives before the first step.
More often, courage comes first.
Courage is sending the email while wondering how it will be received. It is walking into the room even when you feel out of place. It is sharing your message before you have mastered every detail. It is obeying God without knowing exactly how everything will unfold.
Confidence is frequently the result of courageous action repeated over time.
Every time you do something difficult, you give yourself evidence that you can learn, adapt, recover, and grow. You may not perform perfectly, but perfection is not the requirement for progress.
Think about something you now do with confidence. There was probably a time when it felt unfamiliar or uncomfortable. You became more confident because you practiced, made mistakes, learned, and continued.
The same principle applies to the next level of your life.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
God did not tell Joshua to wait until he felt completely confident. He told him to be courageous and reminded him that he would not be walking alone.
Perhaps you have been waiting for a feeling that will only come after you begin.
Start before you feel completely ready.
Take the class.
Record the video.
Submit the proposal.
Have the conversation.
Establish the boundary.
Begin writing the first page.
Ask for help.
Try again.
Your first step may feel awkward. Your voice may tremble. You may question yourself afterward. None of that means you were not courageous.
Courage is not always loud or dramatic. Sometimes it is a quiet decision that says, “I am afraid, but I am moving forward anyway.”
Do not measure your readiness only by how confident you feel. Measure it by your willingness to learn, prepare, trust God, and take the next responsible step.
A Question to Reflect On
What step am I waiting to take because I do not yet feel confident?
A Thought to Carry With You
I do not have to feel completely confident to move forward. Courage will lead, and confidence will grow as I go.
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With intention,
Leslie Sims Palmore
