When someone is discouraged, we say that their heart has “left them” or that they have “lost heart.”

In Latin: Cor = heart; En = in or into. Therefore, to “encourage” someone is to put “heart” back “into” them. A big focus of this blog is to help put heart back into others.

When we are told to take heart in Scripture*, it is not simply a nice sentiment, but a call to live the life with God that you were made for – a wholehearted life. A wholehearted life includes beauty, hope, truth, and trust – things you will read about often in this blog. These things carry us through dark times and suffering. They also enable us to find joy and gratitude in the present moment and to have confidence despite the uncertainty of the future.

To have heart is to have courage. Anchored in your Catholic Faith, and with the knowledge of God’s love for you, may you move forward emboldened, encouraged, with heart.

*Examples of Bible Verses that exhort us to take heart:

John 16:33 – “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage (heart), I [Jesus] have conquered the world.” (Parenthesis and bracket added)

Matthew 14:27 – “At once [Jesus] spoke to them, ‘Take courage (heart), it is I; do not be afraid.’” (Bracket and parenthesis added)

Deuteronomy 31: 7-8 – Then Moses summoned Joshua, and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage (heart)…It is the Lord who goes before you; He will be with you, He will not fail you or forsake you; do not fear or be dismayed.’” (Parenthesis added)

Matthew 9:22 – “Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, ‘Courage (Take heart), daughter! Your faith has saved you.’” (Parenthesis added)

Psalm 27:14 – “Wait for the LORD, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the LORD!