It is first necessary to define moral. This is not to be confused with religious belief or narrow-minded opinions. To have a moral code is to have a personal set of values which guide an individual to be honest, fair-minded, just, open and true to what they believe. Sometimes there is a personal cost to staying with these values but if they are really important they will be adhered to. 

Strength also needs to be defined. Strength could be interpreted as never changing ideas, or the mind, in spite of evidence which suggests these ideas are impaired. Strength involves times of feeling insecure because a new way has to be worked out. It takes strength to value others and see their goodness even when the person is not liked. Strength is not being rigid and judgmental about other people because they think and behave differently. Strength can actually seem to be weak. A sapling bends in the wind but does not break. 

How can having a moral code and an understanding of strength like this contribute to personal strength? To be moral means the individual has thought out how best to deal with life, what is a just way to behave and what they would like to achieve. Not all dreams are achievable but at least there is a direction to go in. The elements which go to make up someone’s values are there to offer support in times of difficult decisions. Sometimes it would be easy to follow the path of the quick buck regardless of how that impinges on the rest of the world, the person’s community or other people generally. There is a price to pay for ignoring a personal moral code.

Having a sense of morality helps in making honest and fair decisions rather than taking the easy way. This is not always a simple thing to do and it requires strength. The sense within the person when they make the ‘right’ decision is much more of being at peace and not being overwhelmed with guilt about the immorality of their decision.  

It is those individuals who have a personal moral strength who dare to stand up to injustices they perceive happening, to disagree with a controlling leader who wants a course of action which would be detrimental to a country or a community. Sometimes these actions are misunderstood by the general population and are disliked. This is where a personal strength guides and sustains the individual. Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma is an example of someone with a belief for which they are prepared to suffer. It has taken decades but the corrupt government of her country is slowly releasing their grip and the rest of the world watches in awe at her moral strength and courage. This is an example that shows that gradually others will see the justice of what someone has done or even if they disagree with them, will admire them for their courage. 

Having moral strength is not always easy but being able to see clearly what is needed can lead to personal strength. 

Having moral strength is not always easy but being able to see clearly what is needed can lead to personal strength.