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Bible Verses About Courage

Being afraid does not prevent you from taking a faithful next step. These passages explore courage in responsibility, danger, and difficult conversations. Begin with the context of Joshua 1, Psalm 56, and Acts 4, then browse related verses about trust and boldness.

Read the passages in context

The passages below use the New Heart English Bible (NHEB). The reading notes are BibleMate's reflections, separate from the Scripture quotations.

Joshua 1:6–9: courage for a responsibility

“Be strong and of good courage; for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This scroll of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. Haven't I commanded you? Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid, neither be dismayed: for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:6–9 (NHEB)

What is happening?: Moses has died, and Joshua must lead Israel across the Jordan. God gives him a particular responsibility: lead the people into the land promised to their ancestors. The repeated call to courage belongs to that commission, alongside instructions to keep and meditate on the law.
What does the passage mean here?: Notice what changes between the repeated commands. Verse 6 concerns leading the people; verse 7 connects courage with obedience; verse 9 points to God's presence. Read together, they describe more than confidence before a difficult task. Joshua needs the resolve to follow God's instruction while carrying responsibility for others. The promise of success belongs to this setting; it is not a guarantee that any ambition we choose will succeed.
A way to respond: If you are facing a new responsibility, name the part that calls for faithfulness rather than control: telling the truth, asking for help, or keeping a commitment. Read the whole chapter before choosing a next step. Let the passage prompt an honest prayer for courage without using it to predict the outcome.

For reflection: What would a faithful next step look like if you could not control how things turn out?

Read Joshua 1 in context →

Psalm 56:3–4: trust while fear is present

“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. In God, I praise his word. In God, I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”

Psalm 56:3–4 (NHEB)

What is happening?: Psalm 56 is a prayer under pressure. Its opening lines describe people attacking and pursuing the speaker. The prayer does not begin with safety already secured; trust is voiced while the threat is still part of the story.
What does the passage mean here?: Verse 3 makes room for an experience many readers recognize: being afraid and turning toward God at the same time. Verse 4 then names the ground of that trust—God and his word. This movement does not require pretending that people cannot cause harm. The rest of the psalm continues to describe danger and tears. Its courage is a renewed direction of trust within trouble, rather than a claim that trouble is imaginary.
A way to respond: Try reading the two verses slowly, then describe your fear in your own words. Separate what you know from what you are imagining. Choose one sensible act of trust, such as seeking support or having a necessary conversation, while taking appropriate practical care of yourself and others.

For reflection: What fear could you bring honestly into prayer instead of waiting until you feel brave?

Read Psalm 56 in context →

Acts 4:29–31: courage shared in prayer

“Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus." When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.”

Acts 4:29–31 (NHEB)

What is happening?: Peter and John have been ordered to stop speaking in Jesus' name. After their release, they report the threats to the other believers. The group responds together in prayer, asking for boldness to continue speaking God's word.
What does the passage mean here?: The request in verse 29 is specific: help to speak faithfully under pressure. The believers also ask God to heal and act through Jesus, and verse 31 describes them speaking with boldness after prayer. The passage places courage within a community, not in one unusually fearless person. It also connects boldness to a particular purpose. It does not make every forceful opinion, risky decision, or confrontational response an act of faith.
A way to respond: When a difficult conversation matters, invite a trusted person to pray with you beforehand. Be clear about what needs to be said and why. Aim for words that are truthful and considerate, and be willing to listen. Shared prayer can help you approach the conversation as a responsibility rather than a contest to win.

For reflection: Who could help you prepare to speak with both courage and care?

Read Acts 4 in context →

About the New Heart English Bible translation

The verse collection below uses the King James Version (KJV). Shortened quotations are marked as excerpts. Linked chapter and verse pages use the New Heart English Bible (NHEB), so their wording differs.

Courage and God's presence

Joshua, Israel, and Solomon receive words of encouragement for particular responsibilities and circumstances. Reading those settings helps us understand the link between courage and God's presence. These promises deserve more attention than lifting a sentence out of its story and applying it to any desired outcome.

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

— Joshua 1:9 (KJV)

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

— Deuteronomy 31:6 (KJV)

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

— Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)

“Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

— 1 Chronicles 28:20 (KJV, excerpt)

“Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee.”

— Isaiah 43:1-2 (KJV, excerpt)

Courage in the face of opposition

These passages include prayer under threat, confidence in God's help, and encouragement to speak faithfully. Courage does not make disagreement disappear. Read the surrounding verses to see what each speaker is facing and how trust shapes the response.

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”

— Romans 8:31 (KJV)

“So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

— Hebrews 13:6 (KJV)

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?”

— Psalm 118:6 (KJV)

“The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”

— Proverbs 28:1 (KJV)

“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”

— Acts 4:31 (KJV)

Courage while waiting

The psalms allow fear, patience, and trust to appear together. Other passages connect strength with love, sound judgment, and dependence on God. This collection offers words for the quiet work of waiting as well as the moments that call for action.

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”

— Psalm 27:14 (KJV)

“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.”

— Psalm 31:24 (KJV)

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.”

— Psalm 56:3-4 (KJV)

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

— 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”

— Ephesians 6:10 (KJV)

A Closing Thought

You do not have to settle every fear before you begin reading. Choose one passage, name the situation it describes, and consider where your own circumstances are similar or different. Ask for the courage to act with truth and care, and invite someone you trust to walk alongside you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about being brave?

The passages on this page connect courage with trust and faithful action. Joshua 1 links it to leadership, obedience, and God's presence. Psalm 56 expresses trust while the speaker is afraid. Acts 4 describes believers asking together for boldness to speak under pressure.

How can I be courageous when I am afraid?

Psalm 56:3–4 is a helpful starting point because it names fear before expressing trust. Read it, describe what is frightening you, and consider one responsible next step. Asking for help, taking precautions, and praying can belong together; courage need not mean facing difficulty alone.

Where does the Bible say “be strong and courageous”?

Joshua 1 gives the command in verses 6, 7, and 9 as God commissions Joshua. The people repeat it in verse 18. The wording varies by translation; the KJV uses “Be strong and of a good courage” in verse 9. Deuteronomy 31:6 and 1 Chronicles 28:20 contain related encouragement in their own settings.

Does biblical courage mean nothing bad will happen?

No. Psalm 56 describes real danger, and Acts 4 records threats against believers. Their expressions of trust do not erase those circumstances. These passages encourage faithfulness and dependence on God without promising that every decision will lead to a comfortable outcome.

Which courage verses can I read with children?

Psalm 56:3 is short enough to read together, and Joshua 1:9 can introduce a conversation about new responsibilities. Explain who is speaking and what is happening. Invite the child to name a fear and a trusted adult who can help, without suggesting that feeling afraid is a failure.