What's the bravest thing you've seen someone do? Have you witnessed somebody pull another to safety from a burning vehicle? Have you seen a kid stand up to an overgrown bully? Do you know a dad who keeps getting up in the morning so he can forge a good life for his kids after the death of their mom? Seriously, stop and fill in the blanks:
Who do I know who's been brave? ________
What challenge or danger have they faced or are facing? ________
What, exactly, have they done that's courageous? ________
Were they scared? ________
What challenge or danger have they faced or are facing? ________
What, exactly, have they done that's courageous? ________
Were they scared? ________
Look up brave or courageous and you'll run across synonyms like heroic, undaunted, lionhearted, fearless, stout, or valiant. Maybe you'd use these words to describe the brave people you have in mind. Who wouldn't want to be known for these characteristics? (Isn't that why we love comics, graphic novels, books, movies, and video games in which someone faces up to, and ultimately overcomes, danger or hardship?) If these words make you sit up a little straighter, their antonyms are at least as evocative: chicken, dastardly, lily-livered, pusillanimous, cowardly, spineless. Eeew.
But let's go back to that word fearless. Is bravery or courage really the same thing as fearlessness, being free from fear? Perhaps you're thinking that one man's "brave" is another man's "stupid." After all, fear is natural and normal in certain situations and keeps us healthy. Fear prompts us to flee from avalanches. A reasonable fear of germs reminds us to wash our hands. "Fear" of one's parents, or at least of losing privileges, encourages teens to get home by curfew. A lack of fear can land us in a heap of trouble. But then so can the opposite extreme: living in fear.
God knows this world can be a scary place, and all of us at some point will need true grit in order to stand up to it. Thankfully, God doesn't expect us not to be afraid (check out this month's memory verse, Psalm 56:3). But just as important, He doesn't want us to live enslaved to fear either (2 Timothy 1:7). So, no, we can't really expect to live free of fear but we CAN live free from fear.
Kids need to start understanding these things about courage and why God wants them to have it. So in March, in 252 Basics, we'll take a look at some things God says about courage, which is being brave enough to do what you should do even when you're afraid:
When you're afraid, remember God is with you. Because God was with David, he had the mettle needed to face a giant problem (1 Samuel 17).
Remember God is with you when you do the right thing. God gave Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego the nerve to defy the king despite fiery consequences (Daniel 3).
Remember God is with you when you speak up for what's right. God gave Esther the boldness to stand up and speak up for some people in dire straits (Esther 4-8).
Remember God is with you when you are the only one doing the right thing. Daniel faced the lions with fortitude because God gave him the strength to do so (Daniel 6).
Remember God is with you when you do the right thing. God gave Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego the nerve to defy the king despite fiery consequences (Daniel 3).
Remember God is with you when you speak up for what's right. God gave Esther the boldness to stand up and speak up for some people in dire straits (Esther 4-8).
Remember God is with you when you are the only one doing the right thing. Daniel faced the lions with fortitude because God gave him the strength to do so (Daniel 6).
Peace (and moxie) to you,
Melanie Williams
Editor in chief
252 Basics
The reThink Group
mwilliams@rethinkgroup.org
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