“But no one except Lucy knew that as it circled the mast it had whispered to her, ‘Courage, dear heart,’ and the voice, she felt sure, was Aslan’s, and with the voice a delicious smell breathed in her face” (CS Lewis, Voyage of the Dawn Treader).

If you’ve never read the Narnia books, then maybe a little context is helpful. Lucy and several others are sailing the Dawn Treader into a sea of darkness. It’s a kind of almost supernatural night where no daylight can get in and where nightmares come to life. Lucy whispers a prayer to Aslan, who is the Narnia equivalent of Jesus.

Aslan responds with “Courage, dear heart,” and somehow that’s enough.

Sometimes, God will speak to our inner dark night of the soul and say, “Take courage, for I am with you.”

Even if the night is still dark and even if hope seems a million miles away, that voice that speaks to our hearts is all we need to get through and not give in. Maybe this week try saying it to someone who is in a hard season. That’s what community is for — to remind each other that God is near and we are not lost.

“Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take” (Joshua 1:9, The Message).