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The Spirit of True Heroism, November 6
For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be
confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know
that I shall not be ashamed.
Isaiah 50:7
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Strength of character consists of two things—power of will and
power of self-control. Many youth mistake strong, uncontrolled passion
for strength of character; but the truth is that he who is mastered by his
passions is a weak man. The real greatness and nobility of the man is
measured by the power of the feelings that he subdues, not by the power
of the feelings that subdue him. The strongest man is he, who, while
sensitive to abuse, will yet restrain passion and forgive his enemies.
Such men are true heroes.
The example of an energetic person is far reaching; he has an electric
power over others. He meets obstacles in his work; but he has the push
in him, and instead of allowing his way to be hedged up, he breaks down
every barrier....
There are thorns in every path. All who follow the Lord’s leading
must expect to meet with disappointments, crosses, and losses. But a
spirit of true heroism will help them to overcome these. Many greatly
magnify seeming difficulties, and then begin to pity themselves and give
way to despondency. Such need to make an entire change in themselves.
They need to discipline themselves to put forth exertion, and to overcome
all childish feelings. They should determine that life shall not be spent
in working at trifles. Let them resolve to accomplish something, and
then do it. Many make good resolutions, but they are always going to
do something and never get at it. About all their resolutions amount to
is talk....
Every one should have an aim, an object, in life. The loins of
the mind should be girded up, and the thoughts be trained to keep to
the point, as the compass to the pole.... Worthy purposes should be
kept constantly in view, and every thought and act should tend to their
accomplishment. Let there ever be a fixedness of purpose to carry out
that which is undertaken.
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