Courage 

   “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (John 16: 33) 

   When we think of courage we usually think of those who have shown great courage in one way or another.  A martyr who willingly gave their live rather than deny their faith.  Or perhaps a war hero receiving the Medal of Honor.  Yet most of us will never be in a situation that would require such courage.  How are we to know if we have courage?

   It takes courage for a young, unmarried woman who has become pregnant to choose life and refuse abortion.  She will face the ridicule of many because of her choice.  Even the father of her baby might be insisting that she kill it.  She needs the support of  society, her friends and her family; support that is far too often missing.

   To speak up in the face of evil takes courage.  Society supports immorality in many ways and disparages those who do not fall in line with their demands.  There is the risk of losing friends if we take a stand against evil; we may even be ostracized by our own family.  In some cases, even loss of jobs and livelihood has been the cost for rebuking evil.

   For some simply getting up each day takes courage.  Some suffer from debilitating illnesses, others from loss of loved ones and aloneness.  Some suffer despair and depression, making it difficult to face each day with no hope for a better tomorrow.  We rarely know the courage some show in simply living each day.

   Courage comes in many forms and in many different ways.  Most often there is no recognition, medals, or awards; it is often unknown to others.  And yet this quiet courage and determination to face each day and whatever it may bring is what we are called to do in this life.

   The courage we need is the courage that God gives, a courage that will see us through the trials of this life and bring us home to Him.