Have you ever struggled with worry, fear, or anxiety, and wondered how you could keep God’s command to “be of good courage?” I had the opportunity to talk to LaTan Roland Murphy on a recent episode of “Your Hope-Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson” about how to live courageously. LaTan is the author of “Courageous Women of the Bible: Leaving Behind Fear and Insecurity for a Life of Confidence and Freedom.”

The Bible frequently commands us to “Fear not,” “Be anxious for nothing,” “Do not be afraid,” and “Be strong and courageous” but practically speaking, what does that mean? I invited LaTan to share just a bit more with us here about how to live courageously in the face of all the difficult trials and circumstances we face.

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How To Live Courageously
by LaTan Roland Murphy

After being jolted awake, out of a ‘dead to the world’ kind of sleep, by our screeching smoke alarm, I quickly stumbled downstairs. Heart pounding, fear rising. Wondering if I should have called the Fire Department, before rushing to investigate.
Thankfully, no sign of smoke—anywhere.

Pursue courage

Sometimes, fear feels like an obnoxious alarm jolting us out of our comfortable little lives. Fear has a way of causing anxiety, reminding us of our need for courage. Especially when there are, seemingly, no easy solutions to life’s big problems. But courage doesn’t simply come knocking at our door. We must pursue courage, as fiercely as I pursued finding out if there truly was a fire in my house. After all, lives depend on it!

But, just about the time we feel most courageous, fear obnoxiously screeches insecurities—and, at the most inopportune times: when we are trying to stick with our diets, stay with our exercise plans, apply for our dream jobs. Alarmed with worry, and left to wonder: how the bills will get paid, if our marriages will survive the stress of this, or that, how our children can possibly grow up to be unscathed by the evils of this world? Alarmed with wonder. Wondering: how they will possibly grow up to be kind adults, after being exposed to such an unkind world? Fear has a way of falsely alarming, and sometimes, even tormenting our souls with questions about: Pretty. Much. Everything.

Pursue courage, friend, and watch as the very same fear that tried to paralyze you, fuels and propels you faithfully forward to hopeful tomorrows.

Courageous living

Don’t allow the enemy, Satan, to be entertained by your life circumstances by keeping you in a state of alarm. Get up! Go, in pursuit of courage! Pursue Jesus, the courage-giver who courageously overcame your enemy on the cross. Find true rest in Him as you pursue all that he is—with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Even when tempted to throw your hands in the air, give up, or crumble in defeat, find courage in knowing Jesus is near.

As you press into your faith, he will silence every screeching, alarming fear. Focus on His voice singing over you with love, empowering you to live joyfully—regardless of your unanswered prayers and scary life circumstances. Remember, Satan wants you to focus on the fear and the chaos because he knows the kind of damage one faithful woman, like you, with a holy fire in her belly and an ounce of courage in her step can do to his dark kingdom. Never stop pursuing courageous living!

May we be wise enough to get up, step out, leave behind our fear and insecurity for a life of confidence and freedom.

Go, courageously!

LaTan

“Don’t tell God that you have a big problem, tell your problem that you have a big God.” – Kathy Phillips

If you missed the radio broadcast of our interview, you can watch the video or listen to the audio here: Hope in the Face of Fear: How To Be Courageous – Episode 5.

About LaTan Roland Murphy

LaTan Murphy finds encouraging others her passion and purpose. She speaks with candid humility and raw honesty, drawing from her own real-life mistakes and failures, while inspiring her audiences with hilarious personal stories. She is quick to say that God amazes her daily by honoring an ordinary girl like herself to speak to extraordinary people. Her audiences respond to her rare authenticity, saying they feel as though they’ve known her their entire lives.

LaTan and her husband, Joe, met when they were only teenagers and have recently celebrated thirty-three years of marriage. They will be the first to tell you they are still growing up together. LaTan and Joe have three adult children: two sons and a daughter.

To connect with LaTan, visit: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Pinterest / LinkedIn.