What Courage Does

“Courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at the testing point.”

C. S. Lewis

Every day each of us is presented with choices we would rather not make. Situations arise that bring to light our fears and insecurities. In the midst of these we have a choice; run away or face them. Running away requires little at the time, but the cost we pay in what we believe about ourselves is great in the long run. To face them requires something more; a willingness to embrace possible short-term pain for the joy of knowing we are being who we were created to be. It requires courage – courage to live as God intended.

So what does courage do for us in the midst of these threatening situations? Why should we embrace it, step up and enter the fray?

1. Courage replaces fear!

Fear focuses on what might happen to me that is bad. I might be hurt whether physically, emotionally or spiritually. Because of this I do, or don’t do, what I believe is going to protect me from pain.

Conversely, courage focuses on what I can bring that might cause good to happen. When I am courageous I expect the good. I believe for the good. I may be hurt, but that cannot stop me. Fear is replaced by the opportunity to bring good.

2. Courage makes me bold because I am bringing a blessing.

I love giving gifts. When I was 14 and traveled to Europe, I spent most of my money on gifts for my family: a watch for my dad, a nativity scene for my mom, a beer mug for my brother. When I gave these to them when I returned home I felt like Santa Claus in summer. There was no hesitancy in me. No fear of what they might think of me because I was bringing them something good. I was courageous!

We carry with us the gifts of love, forgiveness, patience, hope and joy. People need to receive these from us, no matter who they are. Hurting people need them the most. Give them away. Don’t wait for them to ask, just give it. I could have waited and given all my gifts at Christmas time, but there was no way I was going to do that ( a character trait that to this day can still drive my wife a bit crazy, and I have learned that there are benefits to waiting, but it is still difficult). The great thing about love, forgiveness, etc., is that you can give them over and over again and they never get old.

Think about it. Does it ever get old to be loved? Forgiven? To have someone be patient with you? No. Never. These gifts are always new, fresh and gratefully received. Knowing I have them to give makes me bold as a lion.

3. Courage makes you step into the world with great joy and expectancy.

The power to transform for good lies resident in each action you take when taken with courage. You start looking for it. You start believing for it. You know that the good you bring can’t help but make good things happen. And it does!

Don’t ever let fear stop you from doing what is good, what is courageous, what is sourced in love. Love gives birth to courage, and love is the greatest weapon against fear, for ‘perfect love casts out fear”.