Wanting to be Courageous

Do you remember that last time you felt afraid? I remember the last time I felt afraid. 

On a recent hike in Arches National Park I felt the queasiness in the pit of my stomach, the doubts that pranced around in my head and the physical instability that accompanies fear. 

Fear. It asks us; “Can you do this?” 

Courage says; “I’ll try.”

My husband and I had chosen to take the full six to seven mile hike called Devils Garden. The trail is primitive and difficult. It required me to muster up courage. 

The trail has an easy beginning. But, the signage tells you about some of the obstacles you’ll encounter; climbing, scrambling, and leaping.

 At one point along the way, I crabbed walked across a slick rock and then looked down. The trail was about 12’ below me. But first I had to slide down those twelve feet. The crevice between the rocks was filled with branches of petrified wood. I feared the worst; being impaled by one of those branches. 

I wasn’t the only one who was afraid. Two other hikers were on the same trail. One of them turned back at the sight of the 12’ drop.

Fear. It asks us; “Can you do this?” 

Miraculously, I landed on my feet unimpaled and continued the hike.

This hike reminded me that without feeling fear, we’ll never feel our courage. Without feeling fear, we’ll never have to activate our courage. 

Our fears vary, but our fears challenge us to be brave. 

Devil’s Garden challenged me. I felt the fear, calculated my ability and with encouragement from my husband, mustered up the courage to go for it.

Fear. It asks us; “Can you do this?” 

Courage says; “I’ll try.”

Why Bother?

Why bother wanting to be courageous? Without fear, we’d never know we were being courageous.

P.S.  I wrote the story of my journey to forgiveness for those who need clarity when it comes to understanding forgiveness. You can find A Heart’s Journey To Forgiveness at Redemption Press and Amazon.