Courage: “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” The word originates from “the Middle English corage, from Anglo-French curage, from quer, coer heart, from Latin cor- meaning heart.” (meriam-webster.com)

What do you think of when you hear the word courage? A larger than life hero? A superman who steps in front of a speeding bullet? A singing, skipping shaggy lion seeking on a yellow brick road?

For me, courage has always been exemplified by the underdog. The David versus Goliath mentality. (Give me the David- types any day.) The one who has been discounted by others, yet despite her personal failings or lack of resources still enters into the face of difficulty. I think of the health care workers, those who work in the grocery stores, the cleaners, the trash collectors- people who are out and about in order to keep our society going during this time of corona. As this pandemic continues it takes courage for them to persevere in the face of danger. It takes courage for the health experts and politicians to make policies and rules that protect the health of Americans even if it requires a sacrifice of popularity. It takes courage for parents and grandparents to keep things “normal” for their children and to carry on in the face of uncertainty.

The portrait of courage: Those people who rush into the fire to help rather than away from a heated situation. Those individuals who provide for their families, day in and day out, doing whatever it takes to put food on the table. Those explorers, adventurers, immigrants who took (and take) a chance on traveling to a new country in order to have freedom and a better life for their children and grandchildren. Those family members who consent to intubation not knowing if they will ever speak to their loved one again.

How do we cultivate courage? Can we?

The old adage is that there is strength in numbers. I believe that is true in providing courage for a community. We can handle things when we do not feel alone. We can have courage when there is someone walking beside us. “Two are better than one,” the Hebrew wiseman said. “ And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him- a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4: 9, 12)

To encourage is to give another person courage to continue, it requires more than one person. Sometimes one’s lack of courage can be cultivated by another’s- the other can offer en-couragement. Knowing how a person in the past handled a difficult situation and took courage in the face of it, strengthens my resolve to do likewise.

I know that when I start getting anxious, worried and my strength falters, I take a deep breath and find comfort in the words of others and the Bible.

“Be strong and courageous.” Joshua reminds the Hebrews when they as the underdogs are ready to move into the promised land. “For nothing will be impossible with God,” the angel tells Mary when her life is turned upside down with the unexpected visit and change to her life circumstances. “I will never leave you, nor forsake you,” God reminds His people, both in the Old and New Testament.

When our courage falters, take heart. Look for stories of people being courageous. Find out what others are doing. Share with one another. Encourage one another. Be the David for someone else.

** To find out more about this fascinating woman artist- click here.