We love stories of bravery and courage. We like to imagine ourselves as both brave and courageous when facing our fears, in the heat of the moment, or when the battle tests our character. We dream of being heroes, and heroes are always brave and courageous. These two words are often synonymous. Yet, there is a difference between bravery and courage. It’s a difference that will strengthen our faith.
Merriam-Webster defines bravery as the quality or state of having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty. I want to be brave. I want to have the strength to face any obstacle, take on any task, resist any evil, and do what’s good and right against all odds. It’s a romantic notion. Sometimes, thinking I’m brave, I’ll jump headfirst into a situation without thinking it through. Sometimes, it works out for the best – thank God! Sometimes, it proves how ignorant I can be. Perhaps a better word rhymes with stew and pid.
One summer weekend, I was visiting my sister in Tulsa. They lived in a relatively new neighborhood where the neighbors took care of each other. We were in the backyard when we heard glass breaking. Her yard was on a slope, and we saw over her fence two guys breaking into her neighbor’s car. Without thinking, I dashed toward the fence. In an adrenaline-filled jump, I grabbed the top and vaulted over the six-foot privacy fence. Landing in a sprint, I began yelling at the would-be robbers. They saw me, dropped what they were doing, jumped back in their car, and sped off. I told my brother-in-law to call the cops as I attempted to hold the back of their car – in flipflops and futility. I was all in as if I could chase them down or stop them!
What would I have done if I stopped them? Who knows! What if they stopped or backed up and ran over me? That thought never crossed my mind. They got away. When I looked down, my hands were cut up and bleeding from the wooden fence posts. That’s bravery.
Merriam-Webster defines courage as the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous. Unlike bravery, with courage, you know what you’re doing. You’ve examined the risks and the possible outcomes, knowing full well that things may not go as planned. Then, despite the trepidation of fear, pain, and failure, you go forth anyway. Essentially, courage is facing your fear and overcoming it.
Sometimes, for the sake of our faith, we act bravely. Sometimes, through faith, we act courageously.
In Joshua 1:9, God says, “I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Perhaps a better translation is to hold fast and be courageous. On the eve of entering the Promised Land, the Israelites were scared. Moses, their great leader connected to Almighty God, was dead and gone. Anxiety was at an all-time high. Yet, God was with them. They held fast to their faith. They mustered the courage to face and overcome their fears. When they did, God gave them the victory.
May we have the courage to live our faith. Even on days when we know it’s going to hurt. Let’s hold fast to our faith and follow Jesus courageously. Especially when we don’t want to show mercy, offer grace, or extend unconditional love, let’s live into the greatest actions of faith – courageously.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Daniel
