Courage is defined as giving support, confidence or hope to yourself. Courage is a hope or faith in yourself. It is believing in your ability to stand up to something that frightens you. So, then what is bravery? Bravery is courageous behavior in the face of danger. So, Courage is believing that you have the strength to stand against danger. Where Bravery is doing something about the danger. The words are similar in concept, but different in action.

The US Congressional Medal of Honor is given to individuals that go above and beyond the call of duty. They showed bravery in the face of danger risking their life in the action. You would say that they are courageous and brave. The American National Anthem’s last 2 lines say, the land of the free and home of the brave.

Many people that you have never heard of, have had courage in their hearts and bravery to carry out the action. If you start reading about our country and the people that traveled west to settle this vast land, they had courage and bravery. There are hundreds of thousands that you will never know that made it possible for us to live in this land.

Courage is hoping that your belief can be put into action. When God called Abraham to leave his home, he travel 700 miles on foot to Hebron, Israel. Abraham left Ur of the Chaldeans with 300 families and his animals. He didn’t know what to expect, but showed bravery traveling to Hebron. Samson was a judge in Israel, but didn’t follow the Lord. He lost his anointing when his hair was cut. The Philistines captured him and made a slave out of him. When Samson’s hair grew out, he prayed and asked God for the anointing to come back. God gave it to him and Samson destroyed the Philistine’s temple and killed over 3000 Philistines and himself. The prophetess Deborah called Barak to muster an army of 10,000 Israelites to face the Canaanites. Barak refused to lead an army against the Canaanites. God gave the honor to Deborah. She defeated the Canaanites and killed their king. Daniel refused the king’s order not to pray to any God except the king’s god. Daniel pray everyday to the Lord and never stopped. Daniel got into trouble and was thrown into the lion’s den. God shut all the mouths of the lions and Daniel wasn’t harmed. He put his conviction into practice. In other words, he put his courage into action and it became bravery.

Jesus did the same thing and became our example of courage and bravery. Our lives are meant to be an example to the world. We as believers need to stand up and be counted as courageous and brave. This only happens when we have convictions or faith that works. Because faith without works is dead.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com