Dear Christian:

The dictionary defines courage as:  "The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution."

Courage is not the lack of fear, but the resolve to do the right thing, to do what needs to be done in spite of the fear. A soldier in the battlefield has fear, but does not allow the fear to get in the way of what needs to be done. Any Medal of Honor winner will tell you that they were afraid. But, they did what had to be done.

We may be afraid to stand up for Christ in our daily lives, in the workplace, with our friends, or even with our family. Courage is to stand up for Christ anyway in spite the fear of rejection or ridicule. This does not mean that we go hitting people over the head with a Bible. But, it does mean what there are times when we must say or do something because of Christ.

For example, if co-workers, friends, or family are telling dirty jokes, do not laugh (no matter how funny it might be). They will notice. They might even tell you to "chill out". Courage is to stand your ground on the inappropriateness of those jokes no matter what names they call you.

If a buddy invites you to "go out on the town" in which the invitation means to go get drunk and carouse for women, you must decline the invitation as that is sinful.

Courage means to do the right thing even when the right thing is not popular.

St. Paul informs us in 2 Timothy 2:7 -- "for God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control."

Thus, trust in God, accept His Spirit with love and exercise that courage with self-discipline. That means that sometimes we have to rely on the mere self-discipline to do what is right because the pressure to do otherwise is so strong.

To grow in courage, read the Bible daily. Read the Catechism daily. Pray daily for courage to be all that God wants you to be. Spend time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (at least one hour per week). Be sure to attend Mass at least on Sundays, keep yourself in a State of Grace by attending the Sacrament of Confession as often as needed. Do you daily devotions. Work on getting rid of pride (which is the cause for the lack of courage).

As you do all these things you will find that courage will build in you. "Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). "We are more than conquerors through him that loved us" (Romans 8:37).

Trust in God.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary