Fortitude

This post first appeared on my Instagram in May of 2020. It is the fourth of nine in my Virtue Series.

“FORTITUDE is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause.” -CCC 1808

Fortitude is the middle way (the Golden Mean) between the vices of cowardice and recklessness/foolhardiness. Other sins against fortitude are sloth and acedia. "It makes us strong in the pursuit of goodness, helping us to resist temptations and overcome obstacles." - An Educator's Guide to Living a Virtuous Life .

Ways I have struggled with fortitude lately:
*complaining
*despairing
*succumbing to sloth/acedia
*allowing myself to be overcome with fear or anger

Ways I will seek to grow in fortitude:
*offering up my suffering
*giving encouragement to my family and friends
*praying more and talking less (It's a theme, guys, I don't know what else to say.)

Final thoughts: fortitude is one of my favorite virtues to discuss in the home. Years back, Leila Miller wrote in a blog post that she teaches her sons the phrase, "The strongest man in the world is the man who controls himself." This has become an oft repeated phrase in my home, especially with one of my kiddos who is, erm, prone to complaining. It has a powerful impact on him in particular, because he truly does want to be strong, and speaking in the negative (Stop complaining!) is so much less effective than in the positive (This is an opportunity to grow in fortitude).

Watch the short video below and then tell me: how do you reinforce fortitude in yourself and in your home? Give me allll your tips.