Daniel 3 records the story of Nebuchadnezzar, a king who built a 90-foot statue and then ordered the people to bow in worship anytime they heard the “band strike up” (Daniel 3:4-6). Who does that? Apparently narcissistic leaders do…leaders who abuse their power and position for self-serving purposes.

If you’ve read Nebuchadnezzar’s story, you know that the three young men from Judah–Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego–refused to bow to the idol. As a result, the king became furious and threatened to throw them into the “roaring furnace.” Fully understanding the consequences, these three Israelites boldly declared:

“Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn’t it wouldn’t make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn’t serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18, The Message)

Nebuchadnezzar was furious when he heard the response from these courageous young leaders. The king had them thrown into the furnace, but God pulled off the rescue of the century. Even the king said, “There has never been a god who can pull off a rescue like this” (Daniel 3:29). The rescue followed the risk. 

And the same is true today. Risk always precedes reward. Courage always comes before victory. Even King Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s courage when he said, “They ignored the king’s orders and laid their bodies on the line rather than serve or worship any god but their own” (Daniel 3:28).

The only leadership endeavors that shape history, advance noble causes, and propel churches and organizations forward are those marked by courage. Simply put, courage is the key that opens the door of vision. Without it, every dream will remain locked behind fear, anxiety, and inaction. What difference does courage make?

• Courage allows you to have the hard conversations
• Courage enables you to make the toughest decisions
• Courage gives you the backbone to stand up for what’s right
• Courage propels you to take the first step
• Courage gives you the strength to say no
• Courage empowers you to depart the status quo
• Courage puts a better tomorrow in reach

So, how do you become a courageous leader? Where does courage begin, and how do you resist the temptation to abandon your noble dreams and the values that matter most? Courage takes three things.

1. Embrace a Bigger Yes

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were wholeheartedly committed to God. Their “bigger yes” was their faith in God, despite the threat of death. Without a bigger yes, you’ll cave when the pressure is on. You’ll be crushed under the weight of worry. Without a vision, a conviction, a value that’s more important than the fear and the threats, you’ll quickly abandon “hard” and go looking for the regret-filled road called “easy.” Courage begins when you have something worth giving your life to.  

2. Choose Your Inner Circle

Hard roads are easier to travel when you have the right traveling companions. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego formed an inner circle that gave each other strength to stand when everyone else bowed. You and I need the same kind of friends. We need mentors, coaches, family members, friends, and people who will stand with us and stick by us when it would be easier to run. Your inner circle doesn’t have to be big (in fact, in most cases it will be quite small). But don’t go it alone. Courage is emboldened with companions. 

3. Define Your Lines

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had a clear, soul-stirring conviction: they would not bow to an idol…ever. Their line was clear, and nothing would cause them to cross the line of compromise. In his book, Homerun, pastor Kevin Myers says that if you’re going to win in the area of character, you have to define the lines of your life. In other words, you have to define the lines between good and evil, right and wrong, wise and foolish. Thus, Myers makes an important point: Whoever controls the pencil in your life, draws the lines in your life.  

Some people put the pencil in the hands of their family, friends, the media, political parties, or even their feelings. The problem is, people change and feelings change. They’re not trustworthy sources to draw the most important lines in our lives. Instead, we need to hand the pencil to God. His lines lead to life, and until you allow Him to define the lines, your courage will be undermined by what’s comfortable and convenient.

These three keys will embolden you to be the courageous leader God is calling you to become. It won’t be easy, but you only need courage in the face of fear.