(see also bravery)

Definition
Ability to disregard fear; bravery
Courage of ones convictions or courage to act on ones beliefs.
A courageous act

• 2 Tim, 1; 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, (timidity) but of power and love and of a sound mind.
• 1 Cor 16;13,14 Keep your eyes open for spiritual danger; stand true to the Lord; act like men; be strong; and whatever you do, do it with kindness and love

Is courage or bravery merely a feeling? No.
Is courage or bravery merely an emotion? No.

Courage is something within that cannot be tested until the test is there.
Bravery also shows itself when courage is tested - it is bravery that remains.

Have you ever witnessed a small child facing their first independent ride on an escalator? For some it is a courageous act to put one foot on to that moving step for the first time and hastily bring the other foot in unison if not – disaster! That’s courage and bravery! It is the ability to step out and do something for the first time. This sometimes involves stepping into the unknown for a greater cause.

No amount of talking about what could or should happen if one steps out onto the escalator, it’s the actual stepping out that shows courage and bravery. The child has seen other people do it with no ill effects and so encouraged by example, have taken that first step for themselves.

Can courage and bravery be taught? We can be given examples of courage and bravery but it is not until we personally are put to any test do we know how we will react in a given situation.

One can also act with a ‘bravado’ attitude but it is not until that bravado is put to the test can the cracks or the genuineness of that attitude appear. Dictionary.com defines bravado as “a pretentious, swaggering display of courage” and associates words like “brag, bluster and bombast” with bravado.

HEROISM AND COURAGE

Let me ask a question – can we define a hero? Does a hero start out to be a hero? Or do the circumstances draw from a person an act of heroism?

Are there two kinds of courage? It takes one kind of courage to face a bullet in a hot contact and another kind to live a life of integrity and honesty in front of friends or peers.

I have also learned that what one person can face with no problem at all, another will turn tail and run. So is it safe to surmise then that there are two kinds of courage - one physical the other of the inner self?

Is courage and bravery contagious? I believe it can be. When we read true stories of those who have faced death by firing squad, often one person’s bravery to face into what is going to happen, encourages others to be courageous but then, might I add, fear is also contagious.

Jesus, the Son of God, knew he was going to be crucified. A few hours before he was captured by the Roman soldiers he encouraged his disciples to pray with him for strength to endure what was ahead.

He knew where His courage and endurance came from – His Father, our Father, God in Heaven. Those of us who have read in the gospels of just what Jesus did endure, pictured graphically and quite visibly in the film THE PASSION by Mel Gibson, understand just how much the torture before the crucifixion took place, took great courage in itself. Let alone the act of the crucifixion which followed.

You see, Jesus had a reason, a purpose to die the way He did. It was because He loved us so much that He could lay down His life for our sins and not only this but to carry with him, on that cross of death, all our sicknesses and diseases.

Isaiah 53:5
BUT HE WAS WOUNDED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, HE WAS BRUISED FOR OUR INIQUITIES, (sin) THE CHASTISEMENT OF OUR PEACE WAS UPON HIM AND BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED.

So Jesus’ courage required sacrifice. What does our courage require?

Isaiah 40:31
BUT THOSE WHO WAIT ON THE LORD SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH; THEY SHALL MOUNT UP WITH WINGS LIKE EAGLES, THEY SHALL RUN AND NOT BE WEARY THEY SHALL WALK AND NOT FAINT.

And Jesus’ courageous act of sacrifice had a reason;-

John 15;13
GREATER LOVE HAS NO ONE THAN THIS, THAN TO LAY DOWN ONE’S LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.

And what about this – Romans 5:7-8
FOR SCARCELY FOR A RIGHTEOUS MAN WILL ONE DIE, YET PERHAPS FOR A GOOD MAN SOMEONE WOULD EVEN DARE TO DIE, BUT GOD DEMONSTRATES HIS OWN LOVE TOWRADS US, IN THAT WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS CHRIST DIED FOR US.

What courage!! What love!! Bravery born out of love, the greatest thing in the world.
Be encouraged to do what is right in your life. Be encouraged to stand up for being honest and honourable, a person of principle and integrity. There may be a cost for such bravery, but you are the one who has to live with yourself for the rest of your days. Live in such a way that you know you will sleep well at night. Sure, we make mistakes and don’t feel up to the mark at times, but each day is a new one. The Bible says that God’s promises are new to us everyday, (Lamentations 3:22,23)and that’s what we believe in – the Word of God that doesn’t lie, deceive or lead us up the garden path. It’s true and honest and trustworthy, so be brave and courageous and believe it!

Prayer
Father in Heaven, I do not know what each day of my life will bring. I ask you to walk each day with me and as I walk with you in them, please not only guard my path, but help me to walk with courage for what I believe in. To stand up and be counted for honesty, integrity, morality and to look out for those around me who need encouragement. Even as Jesus’ life is an example in bravery and courage, may I draw encouragement from His life that I too, can be an example to those whose lives I touch on the path of life. Father God, if my life is tested in the area of bravery or courage, may I call out to you for strength to do what is right and wise at that time. Thank you Father. Amen