At The Root of Courage

Is there a relationship between humility and courage?  It seems so.  In today's first reading, Peter counsels, "Clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another. . . . Cast all your worries on [God] because he cares for you.  Be sober and vigilant.  Your opponent the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him . . ."  1 Pt. 5:5.

Humility sees truly and by it one accepts one's true (lowly) position vis-a-vis the Almighty.  Humility opens one to letting God's will prevail. Debilitating fear is caused by uncertainty and anxiety over the future.  The humble person isn't uncertain.  He knows God will prevail.  With God as "enforcer", even the Devil can be vanquished!  Why, isn't he a more formidable foe than Frank Miller?  And the hero's courage reverberates to those around him, so they don't cut and run.

This principle ties in with the gospel from Mark 16:15.  Jesus said to his disciples, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature."  To do so takes courage, and courage grows out of the humus of humility.  

Listen to Tex Ritter sing the High Noon's "Don't Forsake Me Oh My Darlin".