Courage: Facing Our Fears For the Sake of God

Wise judgment enables us to figure out the good in a situation and choose to act

Justice orients us to give to others what is needed for well-being

Wise judgment and justice focus on doing what is right, but….. It is easier to know what is right than to actually do what is right…..that sometimes takes courage

Examples of Courage in movies and books

CourageHollywood concept of courage

involves daring and adventure Christian concept of courage

enables us to tackle the fear and dread that stand in the way of

doing good

What Courage is NOT!Risk taking for its own sake

Driving recklessly

Proving oneselfCourage promotes the good, not concern for your own reputation

Being fearless Cowardice, lack of courage, is the inability to face our fears and deal with them directly and honestly

Going it aloneBeing courageous requires a support system

Saving the day in one bold strokeCourage requires endurance and patience – a vigorous holding fast to the good over time

Courage

the ability to do good in the face of harm or the threat of injury, whether physical or psychological

Three conditions make an act courageous:– Choosing to act for the good

– Being threatened by harm

– Loosening the grip of fear

“Goods” that people sacrifice for

Read 140 - 147

List common fears in your notebook with 3 comments/thoughts/examples

of your own

Choosing the Good

Going for the good is the most visual sign of courage

It is also the fruit of prior steps of courage

Unless we face the everyday fears that keep us from the good in small choices, it is nearly impossible to do what is right in major decisions which may involve huge fears

Fear is normally a healthy response – a warning of possible harm

Courageous people pay attention to fears instead of trying to hide or deny them

What are we afraid of?

• Rejection by friends• Boredom• Failure• Loss of Job or Financial Security• Not being understood• The Unfamiliar• Humiliation• Physical Injury – or Death

Loosening the Grip of FearName it, claim it, tame it• Seek alternatives

– Find new ways to deal with fearful situations

• Be resourceful– What resources are available to you?

• Plan, plan, plan– Be prepared for what may lie ahead

• Challenge yourself– Look for ways to increase confidence in areas of weakness

• Look from another’s perspective– Often our problems don’t look so bad

INNOCULATION METHOD

Jesus is our best example!

Garden of GethsemaneStoning of the adulterer

Prayer helps us to have courage!

p.152

Remember when we studied Reconciliation

NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD!

Profiles in Courage WDYSF p72

Character Dilemmas #2, 3, 5, 6, 7 WDYSF p73

WHOLENESS

HomeworkRead 155-158

#1 p.155 in notebook

Together we can make a difference! 

When: March 31st, 2009 How: Get a RED envelope. On the front, address it to- 

President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, D.C. 20500 

On the back, write the following message. This envelope represents one child who died because of an abortion. It is empty because the life that was taken is now unable to be a part of our world.