In the previous article, we tackled about the life’s ups and downs, and the downs’ role in developing man’s life, and transforming it to fear to hope and work. During these times, man’s capacities challenge pain that he might not only overcome it, but help whoever goes through it overcome it as well.
Likewise, man goes through tears in order to learn a new lesson or defeat something negative within him. Here I recall what some people implied when they referred to some habits and traditions of Red Indians as they trained their children on hunting and fighting in order to implant bravery in their hearts. They developed their physical and psychological capacities. As the children became thirteen, they had to go through the so-called, “bravery test” which candidate takes the bravery fount if he succeeds.
During the test, the boy’s eyes are tied, then he is carried off to a lush forest. When night comes, the tie is taken off from the boy’s eyes, and he is left in the forest alone. We have to imagine how hard it is to spend the night like this! It could be the darkest and longest night in anybody’s life.
The boy tries to overcome his fear and negative feelings which might withhold him from resuming the way. Also, this night is but an application for the lessons he had learned and a development for what he had acquired. He learns that he has to overcome certain hardships and rely on his own with patience.
Yet, the story has another part. At times of hardship, man is never left alone. Though the boy spent the night alone, he discovered, with the advent of dawn, that he was not alone. In fact, he father was there all night. He could not leave his son. Yet, he wanted to see if he was brave enough to deserve the fount of honor.
At many times, we go through such weakness and pain that we cannot see our faithful friends who try to protect us. Life seems like a lonely place. Yet, God is always there to help and protect whoever resorts to Him at the night of the “bravery test”.
