A high character might be produced, I suppose, by continued prosperity, but it has very seldom been the case; either for myself or anyone in my immediate family or circle of friends.  I just do not know people who have attained fame or fortune.  That is if you wish to think of prosperity in the sense of financially reaching some bankroll goal.  I however, have been told by a close friend of mine, and just shared with a close friend of mine today….if I have a dollar more than I need today then I am a very rich person.  Is that prosperity?  I think prosperity is something within the heart.  It certainly takes Courage to not allow constant materialistic attainment to get in the way of reaching the goal of prosperity.  I prefer to strive in bravery with the bravest, rather than in wealth with the richest, or in greed with the greediest.  Socrates said, “Courage is knowing what not to fear.”  Shakespeare said of courage, that “he is not worthy of the honeycomb that shuns the hive beceause the bees have  stings.”  I always found that rather amusing.  It made me think of Winnie-the-Pooh, who definately had tremendous courage.     Napoleon spoke of moral courage, saying that he very rarely met with the two o’clock in the morning kind.  He meant unprepared courage, that which is necessary on an unexpected occasion.  He also said of unexpected courage, that in spite of the most unforeseen events, left full freedom of judgment and decision.  There is another point of view I have always remembered since I was a child about courage and that was that all brave men love; for he only is brave who has affections to fight for, whether in the daily battle of life, or in physical contests.  I believe it was Nathaniel Hawthorne who said something very similar to that…..you must have the affections to fight for in the daily battle of life….or your test of bravery never comes.

God also had some very precise things to say about bravery and courage.  I have tried to offer these scriptures to you in a way that you may claim them for yourself.  These are godly beliefs, or affirmations, that you may recite out loud as you get to know them….or you may already know these passages….but have you ever recited them this way?

“He is the one who goes with me.  He will not leave me nor forsake me.”  –Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV)

“I am strong, vigorous, and very courageous.  I am not afraid, neither am
I dismayed, for the Lord my God is with me wherever I go.” –Joshua 1:9

“I am strong and courageous.  I am not afraid or discouraged,
because the Lord my God is with me to help me fight my battles.” –2 Chronicles 32: 7-8

“As I wait on the Lord, with good courage, He shall strengthen my heart.” –Psalm 27:14 (NKJV)

“I am strong and my heart takes courage, for I wait for and hope for and expect the Lord!” –Psalm 31:24

“He spoke to them, saying, Take courage!  I AM!  Stop being afraid!” –Matthew 14:27

“I am standing firm, letting nothing move me.  I give myself fully to the work of the Lord,
because I know that my labor in the Lord is not in vain.”  –1Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

“I am alert and on my guard; standing firm in my faith (my conviction respecting my relationship to God and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor born of faith and a part of it). I am courageous; growing in strength!”
-1 Corinthians 16:13

“I have courage in God’s presence, because I am sure that He hears me if
I ask Him  for anything that is according to His will.” –1 John 5:14 (GNT)

I have fun taking God’s word and making it specific to me.  I sometimes replace I for “Debbie”.  Try this with your own name:  i.e., “Debbie has courage in God’s presence because Debbie is sure that He hears me if Debbie asks Him for anything that is according to His will.”-1 John 5:14

If you are enjoying these tidbits of spirituality that I call Crushed Violets….please subscribe to my RSS Feed.  You can do that by clicking the link at the top of the page in the left corner.  Please let me know your tidbits of spirituality.  I would love to hear from you!  You can reach me by email:  [email protected].  You can write to me:  Debra Fischer-Santavicca, P. O. Box 11, Southview, PA 15361.