After reflecting on the topic of courage here are some challenges that I think are particularly pertinent for me in my walk.
First, there is always this tendency to use the attribute of courage to hide my own impatience. When God calls, I just want to do it quickly, be successful and move on! I don't want to spend my days, time and effort and do it in accordance to His will! The human part of me just wants to say "Hurry up God, you told me to do this! Equip me! Make me successful! Let me move on!"
Actually, God's path/way/direction is a long drawn out journey; an ongoing battle with your own human condition of temptations, urges, self-glorification and impatience. We need to accept that many times, we may not actually receive what was promised, but by faith we need to accept that we will be rewarded in the kingdom of heaven.
In Hebrews 11, we read that many of the patriarchs did not actually live to receive God's promises. Abel gave his best to God, but was killed by Cain; Abraham never saw his children multiply; Moses never arrived at the promised land. The courage that we should have as Christians is the faith to do God's work, even though we might not see the results! I guess, we just need to recognize that God has His own timing, and His own reasons; we are not called to understand, but to comply.
Second, once you decide to walk in the path of courage, there is always this tendency to self-glorify! It's like, "Fine, I decide to walk in God's path, LOOK AT ME, LOOK AT HOW GOOD I AM!" It's actually so child-like, and so self-fulfilling at the same time. The first time a kid finds that he is able to walk, or talk and the adults around him heap praises at his new-found capabilities. While it is heartwarming to have fellow Christians pat you on the back and encourage you, it's ever so important to not even think for a moment that you are elevated above others. You are not.
As written in Matthew 6, if you are giving to the needy, do not blow the trumpets; if you are praying, shut the door; if are fasting, do it in secret; and our Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Thus it is ever so important to deny any self-glorification in our Christian walk. I think this is similar to how most celebrities end up stumbling- when they experience their (very public) successes they let praise get heaped upon their own shoulders, and mistakenly think that they themselves are great.
