Thoughts On Bravery and Courage

In western culture, words have been being redefined for the last few decades.  For example:  In the 1960's “bad” meant good rather than something to be avoided.  The word; “gay” has been redefined to mean homosexual rather than happy or joyful.  The word “sick” means outstanding or amazing rather than an illness or a perversion.

There are, obviously, many other examples.

Two words that are now being redefined are:  “brave” and “courageous.”  Criminal behavior such as looting or stealing from shop owners during recent riots are now being redefined as “brave” or “courageous” rather than as vandalism and stealing. 

Criticizing and personally attacking someone (verbally and physically) because they hold to traditional, biblical values is now considered “brave” or “courageous” by so-called "progressive" individuals. 

The postmodern mindset of our culture, with its relativistic mantra, has only made this redefining of words that much simpler because for the postmodern mind, there are no absolute truths.  Each person is encouraged to define truth in whatever way it suits him or her best.  The deviations, magnetic or otherwise, of one’s moral compass are largely ignored because, for the relativist, there is no “true north” from which a proper calibration of right and wrong can be achieved.

It’s been said that if a lie is told often enough, and left unchallenged, it will soon become the new truth.  History has proven this to be true all too often.

Food for Thought:

Bravery is being the second person to be asked “Are you a Christian?” after having just watched the first Christian being shot in the head and responding, “Yes, I am.”

A brave man dies only once; but a coward dies a thousand times.

It is neither brave nor courageous to snipe from a place of anonymity. 

It is neither brave nor courageous to be an arrogant know-it-all when, in fact, this type of person is nothing more than a manipulative, self-centered person who preys upon emotionally weak individuals to shore up their own emotional insecurities.

It is neither brave nor courageous to use sarcasm as a form of humor, as sarcasm shrouds a deep-seated anger, immaturity, insecurity and unforgiveness that the person has not the courage to face.

It is neither brave nor courageous to be critical of the job that someone else is doing if: 

(1) You don’t have the education, experience or skills to do the job yourself; (2) You have never done the job with any degree of success; (3) You are not willing to step up and take on the responsibilities of the job and do it yourself.

True bravery and courage is never self-proclaimed. 

History has taught us over and over again that freedom is not free.  It must be fought for, protected and preserved with vigilance, determination and self-sacrifice.  When push comes to shove, the ultimate protectors of freedom and liberty are the brave men and women in our armed forces.  Throughout the history of the United States, they have answered the call with bravery, courage and sacrifice.  Were it not for their bravery, the pseudo-intelligencia would not be able to criticize -- with immunity -- without ever having lifted a finger (or shed one drop of their own blood) to defend the very freedom that they exercise in such an arrogant and condescending manner.

 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends,” (John 15:13).