Reflection
The vast majority of us are not heroic. We avoid danger. We walk away from conflict. We prefer comfort and ease and, if possible, avoid sacrifice and pain. Fear comes more naturally than faith. But we do go on. For most of us, our courage is not shown in the one dangerous heroic act. It is proven in the day by day solving of our difficulties with confidence, grace and good humor. We are made strong by the little daily victories that we win in secret.
Prayer
Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
Action
Consider the people and situations you must deal with each day. Which demand your personal courage? How can you continue? Where do you find encouragement and strength? How can you maximize that?
Suggested Reading
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13
From the certainty that God’s grace is with us comes the strength to take courage in the present moment: the courage to carry forward what God asks of us here and now, in every area of our lives; courage to embrace the vocation which God reveals to us; courage to live out our faith without hiding or diminishing it.
Pope Francis
It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.
J.K. Rowling
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
Winston S. Churchill
I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.
Atticus Finch
Don’t be afraid of your fears. They’re not there to scare you. They’re there to let you know that something is worth it.
C. JoyBell
Scared is what you’re feeling. Brave is what you’re doing.
Emma Donoghue
When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.
Paulo Coelho
Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.
Billy Graham