Definition Essay

Courage

What is courage? This is the dictionary's definition: a quality that makes it possible for a person to face danger or difficulty without fear; bravery.

1992

Muslims in Kaduna, Nigeria, went on a rampage against Christians. Two pastors and their families were killed, along with 300 laymen. The fanatics severed Pastor Selchun's right hand. When it fell to the ground, he raised his other one and sang:

"He is Lord, He is Lord!

He is risen from the dead, and He is Lord.

Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord."

His wife and sister stood by praying.

(Jesus Freaks; dc talk and the voice of the Martyrs, page 267)

I believe courage is not something one is born with but something one develops. Some of us don't know if we have courage because we've never been staring danger in the face. That's where I'm at.

But God will help you through it and give you courage.

I slightly disagree with the dictionary's definition. I believe courage is not facing danger without fear. It's doing the right thing even if something unpleasant might happen. It's doing something you know you should do even if you're afraid.

According to my definition, I believe my sister is courageous. 

She is a lifeguard at our public pool here in Red Lake. A couple months ago she noticed a boy was coughing. She figured he was just a little sick and soon he left. A couple minutes later another boy walked through the same spot and he began coughing. She became suspicious. 

She went over to the parents and talked to them. When they said he wasn't sick she called the ambulance.

Tia was the only authoritative figure there. There were other adults there, of course, but most of them were freaking out. 

The boy was fine when the ambulance came and gave him oxygen.

After some investigating they found out the pump had quit working so the chlorine was all in one spot. 

But I can't help thinking that if I had been Tia, I probably would've frozen up in fear!

Tia was probably very afraid, but she did what she had to do. The dictionary says courage is not being afraid in a scary situation. Our definitions are similar. They both say that courage is doing something hard.

My cousin went on a mission trip to Nepal a couple weeks ago. 

He's shy, quiet, and you never really know he's there. 

But when he came back he had changed. It wasn't a huge, drastic change. But he's more confident, friendly, and - dare I say it? - courageous. 

I don't know what he learned over there, but maybe we should all go on a mission trip! ;)

Actually, I think that it wasn't only the trip that changed him. I think part of it was just stepping out of his comfort zone and doing something unknown. 

That's really hard for me.

Personally, I'm happy just staying in my nice little bubble!

But even just taking a small little step out - it doesn't have to be big, it doesn't really even have to be dangerous! - is courageous.

- Alabama             

(this is my definition essay that I had to do for school today)