Practicing Courage and Overcoming Self-Doubt
Courage might seem inborn—a genetic trait like hair color and height. But courage is actually something that we can learn and develop in our daily lives.
Where does courage come from?
Courage comes from the strength of our convictions. It is rooted in faith—faith in ourselves, faith in our value system, and faith in our purpose on earth.
When we understand that God has a plan for us and is invested in our success, our courage to act and make positive changes grows stronger. We can practice courage by the way we live—by making sacrifices for our families, by pushing ourselves to learn new skills that improve our ability to provide, and by seeking God’s direction.
Here’s a video about a single mom who found the courage to be more for her children.
What keeps us from being courageous?
Self-doubt can easily stand in the way of courage. When we focus on our failures, we start to doubt ourselves. This keeps us from moving forward. Like a car out of gear, we eventually coast to a stop. But instead of being paralyzed by our failures, we can recognize that failure is part of the learning process.
Here are some suggestions for how to keep progressing and overcome self-doubt:
Review your commitment to important causes in your life: your children, your belief in God, and your own personal growth.
Confide in trusted friends that you are in need of encouragement. Ask them to share with you some of the things you do well. Write their responses down so you can revisit them any time you start to doubt.
Pray not only to overcome self-doubt but to feel the love of God. Remembering how much God loves you can help you look forward with faith.
Courage is a Christlike trait that is available to all of us. As we ask for this gift and strive for it, God will help us develop greater courage to move forward and make positive changes in our lives.