When you think of the word “courage” what comes to mind?
Do you think of a heroic firefighter charging into a burning building, a member of the military in the throes of battle, or the cop serving their community? What about the person who quits their job to pursue another opportunity, the parent who stays at home to care for the kids or the person who dares to defy expectations?
Over the past year and a half, I’ve had a lot of people compliment me on my courage. In January 2017, I decided to quit my full-time job. I didn’t have a plan or another offer lined up, I just took a leap of faith because God told me to. Then, for over a year, I helped other people build their businesses and I earned money as a freelance writer and designer. And I got comfortable with the freelance life.
What was normal for me, seemed courageous to others.
At the beginning of August 2018, I accepted a full-time position. This seems like a step backward to many people I’ve talked to. Just the other day, I was talking with a friend who was telling me about the risks he’s taken in building over 20 businesses, some of which have been very successful. He was discussing things like faith and courage. He went into his soliloquy after I told him I was likely going to accept the full-time position offered to me. Then I turned to him and uttered this phrase:
“For me, going back to working for someone else takes courage. This is a leap of faith for me.”
It seems pretty counterintuitive, right? But going back to working 40 hours a week for someone else and being back in the 9-5 grind is truly terrifying to me. I followed God out of a full-time environment and now I’m following him back into one. It takes more trust for me to take this step than it did for me to leave.
[Tweet “I followed God out of a full-time environment and now I’m following him back into one-@sarahjcallen”]
Every day I have to fight lies that tell me that this is a step of failure when, in reality, it’s a step of advancement. I have to tell myself that it’s elevation, blessing, and provision, instead of a death sentence, stifling, and a dead-end. This is an opportunity to trust God and his timing above what my mind and flesh are telling me. I have to be completely courageous to take this leap of faith.
Courage looks different for everyone. What does courage look like for you?
Does it mean quitting your job to be a stay-at-home mom? Or going back to work after being home for a while?
Is it choosing to pick up that hobby again after you had that negative review? Or laying something down that’s become your god?
Does courage look like meeting someone new? Or is it withdrawing to the wilderness with God for a season? 
There are so many more examples of courage out there. These are just to help get the wheels going in your mind. Spend a few moments in silence today and ask the Holy Spirit what he’s saying. What is he whispering to you as you’re reading this? I encourage you to take that idea, process about it with one or two trusted, godly people, and then proceed accordingly.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
[Tweet “courage looks different for everyone. What does it look like for you?-@sarahjcallen”]
Sarah is an entrepreneur and published author, currently living in Dallas, Texas. Her dreams include founding businesses, giving strategically, and sharing art with the world. And her life motto is: Every number has a name, every name has a story, and every story is worthy of being shared.
You can find more of her writing on her blog or connect with her on social media.
