When Courage Came To Call

Courage is being scared to death... and saddling up anyway. ~John Wayne

Courage is not the absence of fear. It seems that many have a misguided belief of courage. Courage by definition in it's purest form can really only be called when one is putting oneself at risk for others. While there are many noble things or amazing things, they don't fall under the category of courage. While it may sound pedantic, if we lose sight of what true courage is, we could end up encouraging things that are few and far between courage.

The things humans can do when what they love is in sight and in danger, is truly an awing feat. The bravery men and women will do under the most horrible situations is astounding. However, here lies the danger, we are so amazed with this courage that they show, that when we think that something looks like it, we account it as courage. Howbeit, that is just taking the thunder of those brave men and women.

While some might say that someone is sick and they're trying to get better, that is not courage. Yes, they're fighting for they're lives, but that does not mean courage. Although they may be good about it when they're sick, it is still not courage. 

Furthermore, while someone might feel scared and do something to fight against fear, that is fighting fear, not attaining courage. It is truly sad when people will say something is courage, when in reality it is perversion of something that should be pure and out of the heart. It's a mockery or a cheap comedy of courage.

So what is courage exactly? It is defying fear to save others, it's running into a burning building to save someone, it's standing up against a bully who is beating someone, it's jumping into a river to save someone when the water is high, it's grabbing that fellow soldier and saving him/her, and it's willing to put your life at risk for others. That is what courage looks like a bit.

While we will not call a red truck a fire engine truck, nor will we misguidedly call a dress a different color, so will we not call something that is not courage. Furthermore, for those who do not know what courage really is, they will be surprised by what they must give, but for those who know courage, they will know what must be done, ready and waiting, for when they are called.