Being courageous means having, showing, or doing with courage—the quality of being ready and willing to face negative situations involving danger or pain. No whining afterward.

Courageous can be used to describe people who have courage, or the actions of such people when they face negative situations resolutely. Since we were taught not to define a word with the word, a close synonym is brave.

Fairytales and folklore would have us believe that courage is reserved for superheroes and crusaders. But it’s simpler than that. Courage is often found in the quiet moments when no one is looking.  

It has been said that courage is the complement of fear. However, a man/woman who is fearless cannot be courageous. He/she is a fool” (Robert A. Heinlein).

“We do not develop courage by being happy every day. We develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity” (Barbara De Angelis). The Holy Bible speaks volumes about courage. It also admonishes us to get guidance from the Creator. If not, we can become pumped up, bullies, and hurt others.

“Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith produces endurance. If any of you lacks wisdom, he is to ask of God who gives it to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him/her. But he/she must ask in faith, without doubting” (I James 2:3,5,6).

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen” (Winston Churchill). A lot of us have speaking skillfulness but fall short of our listening ability. What say you?

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me “(Psalm 23:4).

“Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words “(Romans 8:26).

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).