Brave suggests someone who strong and courageous. Muscular and tough. Intimidating and fearless. A real-life super hero with no capes or gimmicks, only triumphs.
Yet when I think of those who tend to be considered ‘brave’, I usually disagree. Their bravery comes from relying on themselves and proving that they will not nor cannot be stopped.
True bravery is knowing your weaknesses and your limits. Understanding that victory is a challenge when relying on yourself to conquer.
I think of heroes from the Bible:
- A little and nearly overlooked shepherd boy who was mocked by his enemy. But after hearing his enemy insult and belittle his God, the young lad went bravely into battle knowing that his God would win.
- A young, male slave who bravely said ‘no’ in the face of sexual temptation. Not so much because he was shy or afraid of losing his virginity. Rather, he bravely chose obedience to God over the magnetism of lust.
- The young man, secretly threshing wheat, when a heavenly messenger gave him orders to head into battle. He felt decent with his army of 32,000 soldiers, but started to quiver as God whittled his men down to 300. Yet, knowing God was before him, behind him and all around him, the army commander bravely went forward into battle. Victory started without any of them even lifting a weapon.
Then there are the brave heroes all around us:
- The ones who stay bravely and morally committed to their jobs, despite being overlooked and mistreated.
- The ones who bravely take the steps to make amends, though they were not the offending party.
- The ones who gives who bravely strive behind the scenes. They’re not working for an occasional accolade, but because hard is the best way to work.
Brave is faith in trusting that that bigger Someone. He will always carry you through.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Your turn. What are your thoughts on ‘brave’. Join the five-minute Friday community to see the brave words and thoughts of some other heroes.