Courage Matters

Courage was a big thing for Mother Teresa. She said, "To have courage for whatever comes in life - everything lies in that."

It's essential to the meaningful attainments she made in her life --serving as a missionary against "injustice among the poor" in India.

Wounded souls. That's how we may describe the inner state of individuals after suffering injustices in their personal lives and relationships.

Standing up to these personal injustices and wounds requires courage. Overcoming fear in order to heal. In order to be able to do what gives life.

For years, Maria, a 16-year-old high school girl, received abusive, name-calling text messages. She was pushed around at school. She avoided places in her school in fear for her safety. 

Finally, she broke down. She could no longer bring herself to continue attending classes. Her grades dropped. She suffered from panic anxiety attacks, lack of sleep, and stress headaches.

Her mother brought her to me. She lamented, "My daughter has become emotionally crippled. It takes all my energy to get her out of the car and 'go over there.' "

To get well, Maria needs a healthy dose of courage. Against injustices and its perpetrators.

It's not for her own good that she allows her self to be humiliated and shamed in school. To do so only harms her psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually. 

"Be men of courage; be strong," the Bible says (1 Corinthians 16:13).

Courage matters. 

It helps us correct injustices and wrongs. It gives us power over risk and its associated fears. It leads us to be better persons, spouses, parents, children, friends and citizens.