Seven Gifts-AAKODEWIN (Bravery)

When we think of bravery, we think of people who do extraordinary things in the midst of great danger. But courage/bravery is a virtue that we should possess each day.
Diamonds are formed from a lump of coal under pressure. When you find one, it is rough looking and not very pretty. That diamond needs to be worked on even more, cut, faceted and polished. There is a Chinese proverb which says, "The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials." In other words, we can either be ground into dust or polished like a diamond. Life is difficult. There will be trials. There will be suffering. If you are not strong, it will break you.
This gift was given to us so that we would have the courage to do things even in the most difficult of times. Oftentimes, doing the right thing means going against the grain. It’s being counter cultural.

I know those who are trying to live a sober life but family and friends make fun of them. Others are trying to walk in a good way, to live their lives different but those around them try and pull them off that new path. It takes courage to stand up and say no.

Have you allowed life to grind you down into dust or to polish you into a fine diamond? Do you possess the courage to do the right thing? If not, pray that the Creator would give you the courage to do what is right, even in the midst of the most difficult circumstances.