Character, it could be said, defines just who and what we are as a person. It manifests itself in the way we project and display things like personality, thoughtfulness and kindness toward others. Routinely the essence of our character lies quietly within unless challenged. Sometimes our character is tested. Most of us have been asked at one time or another, what we would do if faced with uncertain or dangerous situations. Often we try to answer by saying what we think we would do, but actually we don't really know.
Will we panic or remain calm, or will we stand and fight or will we run? Our action or reaction to a given circumstance largely depends on our basic character, instincts and strong will among other things. If we are prone to be macho our character may require that we stand and fight, unless our common sense prevails and persuades us to walk away. If we are of a gentle nature, calmness will usually prevail.
I don't believe it's possible to accurately forecast your reaction to most emergency situations, especially if a loved one is in serious danger. Your emotions are likely to soar and the adrenalin rise to a height never felt before. We have all heard of cases where unexplained great strength came from nowhere and enabled an ordinarily normal person to perform an extraordinary feat of strength like lifting a car off their loved one or that someone moved a giant bolder and saved a persons life. You know these people never anticipated having such strength and ability it just came to them when it was needed.
A recent report by Fox News (1) tells of a male child being born with super human strength and attributes it to a very rare and unusual genetic condition. According to the report the boy was able to stand when he was only two days old and by the age of three months immediately began showing signs of his strength by lifting objects and performing exercises that would be difficult for an adult to do. At three he could lift the family couch by himself. Being interviewed about the case was a Physician/Surgeon, Dr. Katrina Firlik, M. D. who provided most of the details. (1) http://www.foxnews.com/video-search/m/22051792/super _strength_baby.htm
Reports such as this one are certainly subject to speculation about the authenticity of the evidence but leave the door open to all possibilities. As has been said many times, "The chances of something like this happening to us are two, slim and none." However we do continue to hang on to the thought, "What if?" It's in our nature to love and admire heroes and to praise and perpetuate their stories for future generations. Just about everyone has a hero somewhere in their family history. It may take a Genealogist to find it, but it's almost surely there.
Among the several definitions in Webster to describe character are the phrases, "a distinctive trait, moral strength and reputation." These are goals we mostly all aspire to but don't always achieve. Bravery on the other hand just seems to pop out when someone finds themselves or others in a dangerous or life threatening situation and they disregard their own safety to protect those in danger.
Real-life heroes are those who when called upon to face danger react with outstanding courage and bravery. We hear on almost a daily basis about the heroics our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are performing like they were just routine assignments. These are real-life heroes who without fanfare display the distinctive trait, the moral strength and reputation as well as the bravery that makes good character. We will continue to pray for the safe return of all our troops and for peace throughout the entire world.