What Makes a Hero

What makes a hero?  Often when you first hear the word “hero”, cartoon characters like Superman and Batman immediately come to mind.  However, a real hero is not a cartoon character or an action figure. A hero is an everyday person who is willing to give something of themselves to ensure that others have a better life. The following traits make a person a hero.

Self-sacrifice

Heroes are self-sacrificing. They are willing to put their own needs aside to see about the needs of others.

 Jesus was self-sacrificing.  He could have so easily came down from the cross and avenged himself or said “no”.  Instead, he said “Not my will, but thy will be done” and willing headed to a horrible death just to save the world.

There are the heroes of old who gave their lives that others might have better ones.  Joan of Arc led her people to victory during the Hundred Year War, but was later burned at the stake. 

Martin Luther King Jr. fought for racial equality during the 1960s.  He predicted his own death before he was killed.

Another good example of self-sacrifice are mothers.  Mothers so often put their own needs and desires on hold to care for their children.

Courage

A hero must have courage.  They must be willing to stand for their beliefs even when they are scared or forced to stand alone.

 Courage is a little girl calling 911 on her father’s phone when he passed while driving her and her sister down the highway.  Courage is the soldiers who march off to war to help keep our country safe.  Courage is Harriet Tubman and the other freedom fighters of the Underground Railroad who risked their lives to sheparded run-away slaves to freedom. Courage is Lopez Lomong the 2012 Olympic runner who escaped a life as a child soldier in Sudan. Heroes are courageous.

Persistence

Heroes are persistent.  They don’t give up easily.  They fight and continue to fight. 

Annie Sullivan was the teacher of Helen Keller, who was blind, deaf, and mute.  Annie refused to give up on Helen.  Annie believed that Helen could learn in spite of her disability, and she was right.

William Wallace is another example of persistence.  He led a rebellion against England’s king Edward I.  He refused give up even though the odds were stacked against him.

Real life heroes do not have super powers.  What they do have is persistence and courage.  They are willing to sacrifice themselves in order to help others.