Courage

“We increasingly live in a world where it appears as though everyone is courageous, especially behind the screens of social media. Technology gives a false sense of personal power. But in reality, in real-life situations, very few seem to have the courage to speak truth to power. Especially in situations where they personally have something to lose or risk. How many of us “stay silent” at a meeting, be it the workplace or otherwise, not because we have nothing to offer or have no concerns but because we are afraid of risking something?” (Jackie Morfesis) 

“…the spirit that many of us possess, alas, is far from Christian. This is the spirit of this world with its lack of faith, relaxation and pride. Now, succumbing to the influence of this spirit, Christians are gradually losing courage, the sense of belonging to the spirit of Christ; and when faced with inevitable problems of life, they begin to grumble, complain and plunge headlong into the abyss of their sufferings. This is also facilitated by the ideology of extreme individualism (which has spread recently), when a person considers himself, his moods and feelings to be the most important thing in life. Hence, a relaxed self-pity and even painful relishing of one’s suffering.” (Elena Tsyganova)

“When we allow ourselves to act in a cowardly manner concerning our faith, we are not only choosing to love this world more than Christ and more than the Kingdom of God, but we are also choosing to love ourselves more than the people around us. The Life of St. George tells us that even the wife of Diocletian [St. Alexandra] was moved to the point of glorying Christ because of the witness which the saint made. If we, too, acted in a like manner, how many of even the most hardened hearts around us might not be moved to saving repentance, through the grace of the Most-Holy Spirit which would be allowed to work through us?” (Igumen Gabriel) 

“Real faith begins with sincere courage—the courage not to be afraid of coming to Christ with our questions. Many of us don’t dare to ask the questions that truly trouble us. We’re afraid to admit our doubts. We fear what those around us will think. And so untruth accumulates in our relationships with God and with men—an untruth hidden behind the mask of a faith that appears firm but is in fact only on the surface.” (Metropolitan Rastislav)

“We should not hide behind a screen of some specific language of prayer. If we really care about something, if we want something from God, if we ask for an answer to certain questions, we must ask and be persistent…if you ask God for something and ask for something worthy, stand your ground until you get what you want. We don’t have such courage. Maybe the Lord just wants us to show in certain things not humility, but sincerity and determination. Sometimes we don’t want to behave like this, because it’s convenient to hide behind the screen of religiosity…We are sometimes afraid to ask the ultimate questions that concern our existence, because we will get answers that will force us to change, reorganize our lives, and change our idea of faith and how to live it. But Christianity is a faith for courageous and mature people. Because there is no other way for us…Repentance, which is terrible and formidable to the sinner, is a medicine to trespasses, a destruction to lawlessness, and the end to tears, courage before God, a weapon against the devil, a knife that decapitates his head, the hope of salvation, the abolishment of despair… it behooves us to be of much good courage, and to trust in the power of repentance.” (St. John Chrysostom, Priest Anthony Borisov)

“The Lord allows a man's vices to humble his soul. Perhaps he will turn from them. But courage is one of the general virtues begotten by Wisdom. Courageous people enrich others in virtue.” (Orthodox Study Bible, Proverbs 10:4)

“When you think of what it takes to be a Christian, does the word “courage” ever come to mind? The first words that tend to come mind when describing what it takes to be a Christian are usually the obvious ones like faith and trust. Certainly those are important. Knowledge is important, and so is discipline and consistency. As the world continues to change (and I’m not so sure it’s for the better), the word “courage” is starting to make its way into my mind as something we are going to need in greater and greater amounts in the future. The world is becoming polarized when it comes to traditional Christian values. There are those who are trying to change what Christians have believed for centuries, trying to update it to reflect the shifting morality of contemporary times. There are some who are staunchly defending traditional Christian morality who are being silenced and cancelled. And there is the what I think is the majority who practice the faith almost in silence, at most afraid, and at the least disinterested in bringing it out into open forum.” (Fr. Stavros N. Akrotirianakis)

“…both types of courage required of each of us in our own Christian lives. We must be ready and willing not only to endure in a Christian manner the suffering and sorrow which are absolutely inevitable in this broken and sinful world, but we must also be ready to let go even of the good things which it contains — if those good things begin separate us from God. We must all have the courage of our faith: faith that in the end God will comfort every sorrow and heal every hurt, but also the faith there is absolutely no comparison between any sacrifice we could possibly make — any good thing we could possibly give up — and the incomprehensible blessings which God desires with all His heart to give to us in their place. For truly, “as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (I Cor. 2:9).” (Igumen Gabriel)

“But above all, listen to Christ, Who says to each of us: Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33). The Apostle Paul calls us not to despondency, anxiety, or panic—but to courage. He seems to say, “The Lord is with us. Go out to battle without fear or confusion.” To be strengthened in the Lord means to go to Him in faith, not to wait for grace to fall on us from the sky. God does not say, “Just wait, and someday I will help you.” No. He says: “I am already here. Fear not; be of good courage.” Timidity is a small inward betrayal, as if we were saying to God, “You will not manage this.” But faith is the firm knowledge that God is stronger than all enemies. If God be with us, who can be against us? We live in a troubled time, but not a hopeless one. Even the darkest times become a time for courage. God never surrenders His position. And if we stand firm in doing good, each victory of this sort will draw us nearer to God. Thus will we be able to walk the path of faith, keeping the heart alive, bright, and Christ-filled.” (Metropolitan Luke Kovalenko)

“The grace received from God requires us to cooperate with Him…The more a person struggles for Christ’s sake, the more grace he receives. There is a dynamic of grace: The more we struggle with sin and strive to do good, the more God’s grace takes root in us, giving us the strength and courage to perform our good fight to the end.” (Metropolitan Serafim Joanta)

“The root of the word courage is cor—the Latin word for heart. In one of its earliest forms, the word courage had a very different definition than it does today. Courage originally meant “To speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart…In short, vulnerability is a sign of courage, not weakness…Although vulnerability is often associated with weakness, it actually lies at the heart of courage and resilience, for a person who has accepted her vulnerability can put herself in situations of risk, uncertainty, or the possibility of failure…the freedom to be vulnerable is associated not merely with emotional health, but also with a high degree of physical resiliency…the simple act of choosing to embrace our sufferings with courage is a key to spiritual resilience.” (Robin Phillips)

“We need to be very attentive to our lives, to see if we have enough courage to show love. To ensure that despite the fact that we are sinners, we still turn away from sin and move towards God or, conversely, degrade even more. In this way we’ll become like our Savior and those whom He sets as an example for us. This woman showed mercy, thereby preparing the Lord for burial. Any manifestation of such nobility, self-sacrifice, and generosity within us is what the Lord expects from us, is what pleases Him. That’s how He wants to see us. We’re all sinners; there are no righteous people. There are only people who are deluded about themselves.” (Archpriest Dimitry Smirnov)

“A Christian life is often full of hardships, and we must always remember that we can’t live without God’s consolation! The verb “to comfort” is repeated many times in the New Testament, and it does not only give the meaning “sympathy” to the noun “comfort”, but is also used in its original meaning: “bravery”. Divine consolation not only gives our souls peace and relief, but also the bravery and courage to cope with all the difficulties in life.” (Hieromonk Kirill Popov)

“There is a fundamental relationship between courage and the light of being, one which functions as the primary expression of the good against evil.” (Lisa Coutras)

“When you fear loss, you are hard-pressed to live a life of courage, for it is in living with courage that we are able to participate fully in life and become fully human.” (Abbot Tryphon)

“Courage is not the absence of fear…Courage is simply doing what needs to be done even though you are scared and tired.” (Alex and Brett Harris, Rick Johnson)

“To be a true Christian today will require a cost, a risk; it is an adventure, a confession, a form of ‘foolishness.’ To be a Christian is not for the indolent, the self-centered, the idle, the superficial, and the fearful. The Christian today must be intelligent, enthusiastic, courageous, daring and fearless. The saints of our Church who were fools for Christ inspire and guide us into this transcendence — helping us to move outside of our shell of individualism and the frozen ego; and enter into the realm of spiritual health and balance, which is marked by a holy humility... courage is an expression of the transcendental.” (Orthodox Agape, Lisa Coutras)

“When people see how courageous and optimistic you are during your troubled times, they will be drawn to Christ." (Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler)

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