What I have learned about people and organizations...so far.

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

You Need Both Courage and Values

What is Being Courageous all About?

We have heard it stated repeatedly that courage is not the absence of fear.  Those in war are the first to admit that they feel fear when they acted with courage.

Courage comes in two forms.  Physical courage includes things like the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. Moral courage can be described as the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, or discouragement.  It is in these circumstances that courage enables us to stand firm.

The historical biblical account of Caleb and Joshua recounts their reconnaissance mission into the Promised Land.  They saw the same giants as the others who were with them but responded with courage.  Later, Joshua, as he was preparing to lead his army to fight these same giants, was repeatedly reminded to not be fearful but to act with courage.

Acting with courage is your decision to do the right thing regardless of the physical or moral cost.  You do this because of what you value in life.  
  • If you value freedom, then you will fight for it.
  • If you value your family, then you will protect them. 
  • If you value justice, then you will stand up for the falsely accused even if you are his or her only advocate.

Winston Churchill once said, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."  When we are courageous, we do the right thing regardless of the possible cost because we are led by our values.

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