Courage was never the absence of fear. It's what you do in spite of it. Pastor Mike, Corey, and guest Memphis dig into where real courage actually comes from — and it isn't from you.

Memphis grounds it: for most of his life, trained in the Marine Corps, he thought he didn't fear anything — until he realized that what he'd called courage was actually fear directing him to overreact and overcompensate. Real courage came later, built through little wins and a developing trust in the God of his understanding. Today he can feel the fear come over him and still trust the outcome, because he trusts the guidance.

Mike brings As Bill Sees It page 61 — the two-part problem of fear: attain all the freedom from it you can, then find the courage and grace to deal with whatever remains. He owns his own version of false courage — the puffer fish, all hot air, combating fear with his tongue. Corey takes it deepest: the 12&12's chief activator of our defects is self-centered fear, and his honest account of how he used AA as an institution that got him only so far, until he had to go further — into prayer, meditation, and a real relationship with a Higher Power. Page 63's new employer, who provides what we need if we keep close. And page 46's God who does not make too hard terms with those who seek Him.

Mike lands it: when I'm crippled by fear, nine times out of ten it's because in that moment I'm not trusting the God who loves me and is with me.

I have courage today not because of me, but because of Him.

Fear may not fully disappear, but it does not have to control me.

Christian recovery | 12-step faith | sobriety devotional | courage over fear | facing fear | trusting God | addiction recovery | AA and faith | sober living | daily reflection

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