I LOVE etymology... So allow me to define the title.
Courage:
1. the ability to do something that frightens one
2. strength in the face of pain or grief
It isn't easy to get back up when you're down. Fighters naturally want to get back up time after time but imagine falling down once and again, and again... and again. What did Cinderella Man do? (If you haven't watched Cinderella Man with Russell Crowe, GO, WATCH IT.) He got back up. Blood, sweat in his eyes, pain everywhere, numbness, no more energy, wanting a break, thirsty, you name it.
Courage comes from Old French, corage, which comes from Latin cor or heart.
Courage is when at your core, in that pivotal moment, you do not shrink in fear but rather the opposite occurs, you are brave at that moment. You actually have strength at that moment. You don't have to FEEL it, or even recognize it. You make a decision to face any pain and decide not let the pain take over your life. Now this is a proactive measure. You face the pain or whatever it is you are facing and that's just the beginning, step one.
Courage is when you decide to forgive and love someone who hurt you.
Courage is when you go back in the ocean after a near death experience.
Courage is when your opponent is bigger but you still think you can win.
Courage is when you say, "Let me try that again," even if you failed the first time.
It's not easy, but it's resolve. When you choose to follow a path set before you and plow through no matter how hard the earth is, you break it anyways.
Keep in mind though, that courage isn't some great force. Like Winston Churchill said, "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." So this strength is multifaceted. Don't mistake it with force because even in meekness courage is strong.
Courage: strength in the face of pain or grief. No matter how you're feeling, face today, face tomorrow, again. Just one more time, day by day and you'll make it. You will. Step by step, and you will.
Verses referencing courage:
Deut. 31: 6-8
2 Tim. 1:7
Joshua 1:9-11
1 Cor. 16:13
Psalm 27:14
Mark 5:36
Phil. 1:28
Psalm 31:24
