It takes courage to do the right thing these days.

When I say courage, I'm not referring to images of bravado, machismo, or swagger. Nor do I mean standing against cultural tides from a pedestal of self-righteousness, where nobody is listening no matter how true you are.

In a society where moral clarity can often be blurred, the world needs braver Christians. This bravery isn't about grandstanding; it's about quietly and consistently living out one's faith in everyday actions.

But what is courage? How can I obtain it? Why do I seem to lack it? What am I missing that others seem to have? 

Here are five principles of courage that are helping me. 

Principle #1: Courage is a choice, not a feeling.

And thank God it is not a feeling, but I don't feel courageous very often. 

I don't like conflict. I have conflictphobia (a made-up diagnosis for a very real feeling). I will do almost anything to avoid the tension that conflict creates. 

A friend of mine was making bad life choices. Although they claimed the name of Christ, they were not living by his principles. Before I could look over it and hope the problem dissipated. That always worked in the past. But people were now counting on me to lead, so ignoring it wasn't a great option.

The truth is, I didn't initially speak up to my friend because I was a coward. I have been a coward many times in my life. But with their most recent wave of bad decisions, I was once again presented with the choice. 

I could let it go, hoping they would improve without intervention … or I could speak up. I wrestled with it all night. I tossed and turned. I got sick to my stomach. I played out every scenario.

Finally, things came into focus: I could either be brave and call them on it, or I could be a coward and stop growing as a leader. Thankfully, I decided to confront them, and to my surprise, it went really well. They actually thanked me. 

This experience taught me a crucial lesson: Courage isn't the absence of fear but the decision to act despite it. You likely have faced a similar moment where speaking out was uncomfortable, but these are the times when our faith and integrity are most tested. Choose conflict, tension, discomfort, and pain; it's in these things that you grow the most.

As Christians, we're called to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). It's not always easy and often requires courage. But by choosing courage, we grow in our faith and help others grow as well. Courage isn't about feeling brave—it's about making the choice to do what's right, even when it's hard.

Principle #2: Use what you know to overcome what you fear the most.

It’s impossible to conquer an enemy you don’t understand, and fear—in all its forms, from hatred to apathy, from recklessness to playing it safe—is the opposite of bravery. Fear can lead us to live small, pitiful lives, limiting our potential and our faith.

Many people don't understand why fear overwhelms them, but they feel its cold grip on their mouth, heart, and feet. They dream of soaring, but their feet remain cemented to the ground.

An Athenian statesman, Pericles, once encountered a troop of soldiers paralyzed by the sound of thunder from an approaching storm. The loud noises in the sky unnerved these elite warriors because they couldn’t fully comprehend where the sound was coming from. Seeing their hesitation, Pericles grabbed two large stones and began banging them together, producing a booming sound similar to the thunder. "What do you think it is?" he called to the troops. "Just stones doing the same thing as the clouds."

There’s something about knowledge that dispels fear. Steven Spielberg’s use of the fear of the unknown in the movie "Jaws" is a classic example. By often keeping the shark hidden, Spielberg taps into the fear of what might be lurking just beneath the surface, exploiting our fear of the unknown.

Life is unpredictable. There’s no way to know everything, especially about the future or how others will react. But we are not at the mercy of our fears and doubts. Fear will always try to take control, but the only way through it is to confront that fear logically, with reason and understanding.

That voice of exaggeration and catastrophe isn’t helping you. It lifts you to uncanny heights and then lets you fall. That’s the part of your mind that sees the worst-case scenarios. Ignore it.

That voice isn’t making you braver.

Remind yourself: It’s just a job. It’s just debt. It’s just people with different opinions. It’s just a relationship. It’s just money. It’s just a moment.

Take it in. Investigate. Question it.

As Christians, we have a firm foundation in what we believe. While this doesn’t eliminate all doubt, knowing what Christ has done and continues to do should embolden us through our fears. The Bible teaches us in 2 Timothy 1:7 that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. When faced with fear, let’s use the knowledge and truth we have in Christ to overcome it. 

Principle #3: Courage is defined in a moment—in less than a moment.

Courage isn't always about grand, heroic gestures; when we make it out to be that, we can find every reason not to act courageously. 

I remember moments like proposing to my wife, riding a rollercoaster for the first time, leaning in for my first kiss, staying in an argument rather than walking away, voicing my opinion, and disagreeing with someone. These moments may seem small and inconsequential, but they offer me a clearer understanding of courage.

I used to think of courage as something grand—like running into a burning building to save a kitten or jumping in front of a bullet for a stranger. 

That kind of courage felt easier because it's so rare. I don't often encounter burning buildings or have guns pointed at me.

While those are undeniably brave acts, they are also extraordinarily rare. For most of us, courage manifests in smaller, everyday decisions. If we believe that courage only exists in dramatic, life-or-death situations, we might excuse ourselves from ever needing to be courageous. But courage is far more practical and accessible.

This idea reminds me of a quote from the movie We Bought A Zoo: "You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it." This quote resonates with me not just because of the words themselves but because of the scene it’s delivered—a father teaching his son about courage, using the moment when he first met the boy's mother as an example. 

One moment of courage on your part could open up numerous doors of blessing. 

As Christians, we often find that the moments requiring courage come in seemingly small decisions—standing up for our beliefs, speaking truth in love, or stepping out in faith. Courage isn't just about grand gestures; it's about acting bravely in the small moments that define our character and faith. 

Principle #4: Courage doesn't consider the cost. 

I once lied about being a pastor while getting my haircut at a new barbershop. It was one of my most shameful moments as a follower of Jesus because I had nothing to lose.

In contrast, figures like Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus demonstrated true courage by publicly caring for Jesus' body, regardless of the potential backlash. Their actions remind us that true courage doesn't weigh the costs; it acts according to conviction."

These men, previously cautious and reserved, took the significant risk of asking Pilate for Jesus' body and providing for His burial. This act publicly identified them as followers of Jesus, likely costing them their social standing and risking their positions on the Sanhedrin and even their safety.

For Joseph and Nicodemus, courage wasn't about calculating potential losses or weighing risks. Courage doesn't count the cost—it recognizes that something must be done and steps forward to do it. They acted not out of a desire for recognition but because they knew their actions were necessary at that moment. God gave them the strength to step up and fulfill the prophecy in Isaiah 53:9, which foretold that Jesus would be buried in a rich man's tomb. 

As Christians, courage means living out our faith authentically and being ready to stand firm when it counts, regardless of the personal cost. 

It's not about seeking conflict but being prepared to act with integrity when the situation demands it. True courage is shown in quiet moments of conviction, where we may face loss or hardship, but Christ gives us the strength to endure.

Principle #5: Courage on behalf of others is called heroism.

In his 2008 TED Talk, “The Psychology of Evil,” Zimbardo defines heroism as taking a personal risk for the common good while others remain passive. The risks might be substantial: one might lose money, social status, or credibility or endanger oneself or one’s family. 

This concept is particularly relevant to modern Christianity. In today's world, Christians face unique challenges and risks. Heroes of the faith aren't those who become keyboard warriors or stand on street corners shouting the sins of the world into people's open car windows. 

True heroism in Christianity often involves advocating for those who cannot stand up for themselves, such as the marginalized, or supporting those in crisis. This kind of heroism is driven by a love that reflects Christ's love—unconditional and unyielding, even when it comes at a personal cost.

Jane Goodall, who has dedicated her life to studying chimpanzees, once said, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” Christ calls us to make a difference by being different. Loving others is not enough; everyone who shows love could claim to be a Christian if that were the case. Christians choose to love when the world's love runs out. 

When the world's love runs out for unborn children. For the upbringing of our youth. For immigrants and foreigners who are simply seeking a better life. For those who feel suicidal and those who are extremists. The imprisoned and the overdosed. It's at the moment when everyone else has given up that Christ's love through us shines brightest. 

We know it’s easy to seduce ordinary good people to do bad things, but can ordinary people be inspired and trained to be everyday heroes? I love that question, and it's an excellent one for Christians to consider. 

Last Thoughts

What distinguishes Christian courage is the deeper motivation that drives it. What is the greater good? What is the ultimate desire?

As Christians, we strive to be motivated by the greatest good—Christ Himself.

This courage is not merely about facing challenges; it's about recognizing that "to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Paul looks forward to gaining more of Jesus, knowing that Jesus is better than anything else. This conviction enables him to face danger, hardship, and even the fear of death because, for him, Christ is gain.

This is what makes courage distinctly Christian: the animating principle of seeking the greatest good. 

It's not enough to be driven by just any good; as Christians, we aim to be driven by the greatest good, Christ Himself.

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