Be Brave

We've considered now three principles: Be patient, be polite, and be alert. Each of these are uniquely challenging because they go against the grain of our human nature. Like a lump of clay before a potter, like a slab of stone before a sculptor, our natural state has no beauty or worth. Born with a sinful nature, we are naturally impatient and reactive, naturally proud and crude, naturally distracted and unfocused. Likewise, at the beginning of our martial arts training, we are uncoordinated, unfocused, and unskilled in our techniques. But with disciplined concentration, practice, and time, our coordination, focus and skill improve. The slab becomes a masterpiece. The clay becomes a useful vessel. The integrity of our character becomes sound as we grow more patient, polite and alert.

Yet, fear, insecurity, and anxiety can derail progress. This brings us to our next principle: Be Brave. This principle is companion to another popular saying we have: "Never give up!" Consider the following

Scriptures:

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them (i.e. the enemies of Israel), for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power (Ephesians 6:10).

Bravery is not the absence of fear. It is the willingness to press on in spite of fear. Likewise, the opposite of bravery is not fear but surrender. When a person surrenders, or "gives up", that is the end of their progress, whether progress in the principles or progress in training. Insecurity is the enemy of bravery, because the insecure person will not try what is uncomfortable, difficult or challenging, even when these very things are most needful to grow.

Now, bravery must be grounded in truth and wisdom. Just as no one would consider jumping in front of an oncoming truck as an act of bravery, so true bravery understands what battles to fight and what principles to uphold. Bravery just for bravery's sake is folly. Although bravery does not require a certain outcome, it always achieves a worthy purpose, whether that purpose is to glorify God, to bless others or to improve oneself.

So how does one grow in bravery? It is one thing to simply say, "Be brave" or "Never give up,” but the principle is more than just a mantra. Being brave has everything to do with knowing faith. When a trapeze artist knows her craft, she can be brave as she flings herself hundreds of feet above the ground. When a martial artist has practiced his skill, he can be brave in a sparring match. When Christians know their Lord, they can be brave when facing torture or death for their faith.

I saw bravery beautifully illustrated in a movie, "Prince Caspian", which was based on the story by C.S. Lewis in The Chronicles of Narnia:

The army of King Miraz was coming against the small Narnian force. They were separated by a bridge. Tiny and youthful Lucy stepped forward on one side of the bridge, taking out her small dagger to face the army on the other side. The scene seemed laughable as this little girl foolishly stepped forward to confront the formidable army. But then Aslan, the great Lion, the symbol of the Son of God, slowly came and stood next to her. Suddenly, the tables were turned. The overwhelming advantage was now Lucy’s. Her bravery shown forth while the folly of the army of King Miraz became increasingly clear.

Like David's bravery against Goliath, like Jesus’ unflinching obedience in the face of crucifixion, like Paul’s unswerving mission-mindedness before a murderous Jewish mob, when we have God as our strong foundation and source of strength, we can truly be brave in any and every circumstance. So, dear friends, be brave. Embrace great challenges and pursue lofty goals, all the while training hard and trusting the One in whom we depend and for whom we strive.