Courage

I have been thinking a little about having courage and times in my life when I've really needed courage.

I recall on my mission when I had to go by myself with a "split" to ask a family if they wished to be baptized. I was so afraid! What helped was getting some guidance from my companion as well as remembering the scripture about how "Perfect love casteth out all fear"

Another time, a few months ago, I had to do something also caused great fear. I needed courage. I lacked the courage to ask for a priesthood blessing, but I did pray a lot that week. And I got the help and comfort and courage I needed. I do need to get better at asking for priesthood blessings when needed. But I am grateful for the power of desparate prayer.
Awhile after that something else caused me to need courage of a different nature. Again I felt really afraid deep inside, I was scared to the core. Again I prayed for courage- I asked Heavenly Father to be with me. Again I remembered the scipture about perfect love casteth out all fear. I remembered the verse from "Come, Come, Ye Saints" about "fresh courage take". I remembered a recent patient who had endured challenge and displayed tremendous courage during WW2 when she was able to escape with her children.

My situation was vastly different from hers, indeed laughable that I could be so afraid. My need for courage was due to shyness, insecurity, anxiety and fear. Yet I was able to do what I needed to do! Woo-hoo for me!

And hopefully in future times in life when I need courage, I will be able to remember some of these experiences and display courage.