One of my Top 5 movies is the lighthearted comedy “Legally Blonde.” It’s the one about Reese Whitherspoon as Elle Woods, a seemingly blonde bimbo from Bel Air who goes to Harvard Law School to get her boyfriend back. As it turns out, Elle has more brains and inner beauty than anyone took her for. In her speech at graduation, she tells her classmates to have courage of conviction and a strong sense of self as well as faith in others and themselves.

How often do you second-guess or doubt yourself? In recent months I have found myself doing that very thing, second-guessing some choices I’ve made, wondering if I’d done things differently, how life would have turned out.

But I think scripture (and Elle Woods) tells us we can’t do that. Pondering the “what ifs” is not showing courage. We must bravely face up to life’s challenges, not shrink from them.

Joshua had some tremendous challenges ahead as he took over the mantle for Moses. The Lord told him (in Joshua 1:9): “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

The word “courage” comes from the Latin root “cor,” which means “heart.” That’s why you sometimes hear “take heart.” Synonyms include bravery, valour, audacity, nerve, grit, spunk and moxie.

Being brave and stepping out in faith can be one of the toughest things we have to do. Elle Woods had a choice to stick with law school or to drop out and return to her safety zone in California.

Joshua had a choice to lead the Israelites into the promised land or to turn tail (the opposite of courage in Latin is “cauda,” which means “tail”) and save himself.

In every challenge we have a choice. Will you be courageous and move forward or will you chicken out and cower in your comforting corner?

Part of God’s talk with Joshua was don’t be scared. In fact, the Trinity and His angels throughout the Word frequently are telling followers “Do not be afraid.” I learned in study that is the most used command in the Bible.

It’s time to take heart. Be brave. Have courage. If there ever was a pep talk by God, it’s “You can.”



Replogle is a freelance writer and a News & Eagle editor. E-mail her at ruthannr@enidnews.com.