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Courage

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This is a chapter from my latest book called (G)rains (o)f san(d)s. Learn more about the book here.

Thank you God for courage. Courage to keep going when we have fallen. Courage to fight for what we want. Courage to do the right things. Courage to face a broken world. It is funny how we can easily use a word and still have to turn to the dictionary for a proper definition. To me courage is finding the strength to do something but let us see what the dictionary says. Courage is defined as the ability to do something that frightens one; bravery. To me, God is the source of all courage. With God anything is possible. God strengthens us through difficult circumstances. We must not forget to thank God for giving us the courage to do the things that frighten us. All our fears belong to God. Let God handle what frightens us. Fear God alone. Surrender our fears to God.

In Islam we are taught that courage is not only about physical strength but also about moral and spiritual strength. Being strong in faith and making sacrifices for the sake of God. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) exemplified great courage. We are asked to follow his example. We can also follow the examples of persons in our lives who show great courage. My mom and sister have been examples of courage in my life. They faced hardship with humility and showed a never give up attitude that inspires others. My uncle who has been battling cancer has been an example of courage and faith in God. He religiously practices the deen and has been helpful to many who have crossed his path.

God does not burden us with more than we can bear. God tests us with good and bad. For the bad things that we are tested with, God also gives us the courage to face these challenges. How many times have we faced difficulties and gotten through them with faith and prayers? We have survived all the bad days we have faced thus far. That can only be by the grace of God and by the help of people that God has sent for us. God created us as tiny grains of sand on an endless shore, yet granted us the spirit to stand against the strongest tides. Nelson Mandela told us that courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. Let us count our blessings even if they outnumber the grains of sand on this Earth. Let us thank God. Let us keep God in our lives. Thank you God for giving me the courage to believe that I too can become a great writer one day even when doubt creeps in. I guess doubt is not bad because without doubt there would be no good writers. Doubt makes us question, explore, and think deeply. And without God, there would be no courage to keep believing, keep learning, and keep writing. Thank you God for giving me the courage to try.
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