Why Everyday Bravery Matters More Than We Think
America was built on courage. Not just battlefield bravery or headline-worthy heroics, but quiet, consistent, everyday courage—the kind that holds the line when no one is looking.
From the earliest settlers who crossed the sea with nothing but hope, to the young men who stormed beaches and broke barriers in war, to those who stand for truth and justice today, courage has always been the soul of progress.
This virtue—courage—is one of the twelve I highlight in my upcoming book Surrounded By Heroes, and for good reason. It’s a foundational thread running through our nation’s story, and it’s a virtue we need to reclaim—urgently and personally.
Two Kinds of Courage: Heroic and Everyday
There’s the kind of courage we honor with medals: like Audie Murphy, the most decorated American soldier of World War II, and General Benjamin O. Davis Jr., commander of the Tuskegee Airmen.
Their stories inspire me—not just because of what they did in war, but because of what their actions revealed about who they were: men of conviction, purpose, and unshakable courage. This is heroic courage—courage in the face of extreme danger.
But most of us won’t be asked to face down gunfire. Instead, we’re asked to show up in moments that feel small—yet are just as significant. We’re called to live with everyday courage:
- Standing for truth when it’s unpopular
- Trying again after failure
- Having the hard conversation
- Leading with integrity when compromise would be easier
Both kinds of courage matter. But it’s everyday courage that most often shapes our lives and influences those around us.
Courage Is Required to Lead
Simon Sinek said, “The most important quality a leader must possess is courage.” And he’s right.
You can’t lead your family, your team, or your community without it. Courageous leadership means doing what’s right—even when it’s unpopular, uncomfortable, or costly. Leadership without courage looks like compromise.
It bends to pressure, avoids conflict, and chooses comfort over conviction. But courage says, “This is worth the risk. This is worth standing for.”
I had to learn that during the 2008 economic recession. Business slowed, tough decisions mounted, and comfort disappeared. But courage—fueled by a mission-first mindset—kept me steady.
That season tested me, but it shaped me. And we came out stronger. Courageous leaders make decisions that won’t always please everyone—but they’re the ones people remember, respect, and follow.
How Do You Grow in Courage?
Courage isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build. Like a muscle, it strengthens with use and weakens with neglect.
And it almost always involves discomfort.
You build it by:
✅ Doing the hard thing when fear says wait
✅ Choosing principle over popularity
✅ Keeping the mission in focus when comfort calls
That’s what Audie Murphy did when he jumped on a burning tank to fight off enemy soldiers. That’s what Benjamin O. Davis Jr. did when he led the Tuskegee Airmen with discipline and dignity in the face of racism.
Their courage didn’t come from fearlessness. It came from purpose.
What Courage Looks Like Today
Courage today may not involve a battlefield, but it still calls us to action.
- At work: confronting something unethical or speaking up for someone overlooked
- At home: leading your family with honesty and humility
- In your community: bridging divides or standing for what’s right
- In your own heart: choosing healing over bitterness
Every courageous act chips away at fear, strengthens your influence, and builds lasting trust.
A Courage That Unites
I believe courage and unity go hand-in-hand. Audie Murphy stood for his brothers-in-arms. The Red Tails flew not just for victory—but for dignity.
That’s the kind of courage we need now—not just to stand, but to stand together.
What if we became more courageous in our efforts to build unity?
What if we risked more for what’s right instead of retreating into what’s easy?
Take the Next Step
Here’s something to reflect on this week:
What’s one area of your life where you’ve been avoiding the courageous choice?
Is it a conversation you need to have?
A decision you’ve delayed?
A step you know it’s time to take?
Write it down. Reflect on it. Pray about it. Talk to a trusted friend.
Then—take the step. Do the brave thing.
The future doesn’t belong to the passive.
It belongs to the courageous.
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