Courage doesn’t always look like bold speeches or heroic acts. Sometimes it’s surprisingly small. In fact, sometimes, it can be red fingernails.
I recently painted my fingernails red. That may not sound courageous, but for me, it was an intentional act of bravery. Why? Because my fingers have an identity and a reputation all their own. They are long. They are expressive. They are extra.
Whether I’m leading worship at my church, recording content for prison tablets, or teaching, I consciously keep my fingers together so they don’t take over the stage, the screen, or the pulpit. They are loud without speaking, distracting without effort.
People often make fun of them. Their subtle comments and sideways glances leave me feeling flawed, exposed, and like I have a weakness that needs to be hidden.
But that isn’t true. Yes, my fingers sometimes look like they belong to aliens, but God made them on purpose and gave them function. So despite the attention they receive, I decided to paint them. And I chose red, the scariest color for me.
Guess what? They’re pretty. They might stand out, but that’s okay.
These red nails are a reminder for me that courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s choosing to act anyway. It’s showing up honestly instead of shrinking back quietly. It’s deciding not to be governed by insecurity, but, instead, by God’s truth.
In Joshua 1:9 (NIV), the Lord said to Joshua: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” God wasn’t inviting Joshua to act courageously—He was commanding it.
God gave this same command to Moses and the Israelites in Deuteronomy 31:6, where He also promised that He’d never leave or forsake them.
Why would God repeat this command and encouragement to His people? Why say it to Moses and Israel, and then again to Joshua?
Well, they were facing unknown territory, stepping into responsibilities that felt bigger than their strength. They were leaving the familiar to walk toward what was promised. And they felt exposed.
God didn’t shame them for their fear. Instead, He reminded them: I am with you. I’ll go with you. I will never leave you or forsake you.
I frequently speak this scripture over my life, especially in moments when fear feels bigger than faith. I imagine Moses and Joshua had to regularly remind themselves of God’s encouragement too.
Being strong and courageous isn’t easy, but it’s necessary if we want to do what God has called us to do. Every day, I ask God for His strength, so I can choose courage over fear. I want to obey Him despite how I feel, despite my circumstances, and despite my flaws, past, or limitations.
Remembering that God promises to be with me and will never leave or forsake me helps me find the courage and strength I need to show up and act. This doesn’t mean I never feel fear; it just means fear no longer determines my next move.
Fear doesn’t have to determine your next move either. If you step out, choosing to trust God’s presence and His provision, He will march you right into your promised land, free of addiction, broken relationships, regret, lack, and shame.
But you have to act. You have to choose the uncomfortable and refuse to listen to your insecurities and what others whisper.
So today, whatever your “red nails” might be—whatever small, quiet act of courage God is inviting you into—do it, despite everything and everyone. God will be with you every step of the way.
Consider: What fear tries to control you? Where is God calling you to be strong and courageous, even if you feel unprepared? What step of courage is God asking you to take right now, even if it feels as small as a few red nails?
SHERIDAN CORREA is a trauma-informed biblical counselor who serves as the director of healing and restoration initiatives for Victorious Living. A wife and mother of two teenage boys, Sheridan has been radically changed by Jesus.
