The Definition of Courage
In the assault on Guam the Marines lost one of their best chaplains. The youthful, redheaded Tony Conway was enormously popular with both officers and enlisted because of his quiet nature and the intense interest he showed in every man. Unfortunately, he was killed when a Japanese shell struck his landing craft just as it reached the shore.
As if he had some premonition of what lay ahead, Conway wrote his parents on the afternoon before the invasion of Guam, suspecting that this could be his last letter to anyone:
Dear Pop and Mom and Everyone:
It isn’t too often I have to write a letter like this one. This is a pre-invasion letter. We go into Guam tomorrow. I am not so much afraid now, but tomorrow morning, no doubt, I will be plenty scared…
If the worst should happen to me, know that it is God’s will, and I gave my life for the Church and the God who rules it. I took the vow at ordination to obey. My work here is obedience at its best.
Yes, no doubt, I will be doubly scared on this major operation. Christ was scared when He was going to His death, for He cried out “Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me.” He did it for me, I must do it for Him. I’d go in if it were even to save one soul.
All the good I am going to do in there makes me courageous for “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.” And there is no greater prayer than squaring souls away for God.384
I have never seen a better definition of courage. By taking our fears to God in prayer, we are able to face any challenge in his strength. Courage is knowing we have access to this strength and that it will sustain us, no matter what threatens our physical or spiritual safety.
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
—2 Peter 1:3