Love Inspired author, Cheryl Wyatt, brings our hero characteristics today. Cheryl is the author of the Wings of Refuge series, with her newest book, Steadfast Soldier, comes out in June. To learn more about her books visit her website at www.cherylwyatt.com

 So what are Cheryl’s top hero traits?

 Breathtakingly Brave. (Courageous enough to put others ahead of himself no matter the risk)

 Irrefutably Noble (Does the right thing even when no one’s looking, regardless of personal cost)

 Honorably Handsome

 Who doesn’t like the ‘honorably handsome’ part, right? 😉

 Well, there are so many heroes to choose from who meet the characteristics Cheryl chose, but I’m going to list one of my favorites here. Aragorn from Lord of the Rings

 Breathtakingly Brave? Yep, even though he doesn’t feel like he deserves the calling of king – but that’s what makes him all the more brave. He steps into a place he’s afraid to go.

 Irrefutably Noble? Certainly, over and over again he risks his life for others, keeping their safety foremost in his thoughts.

 Honorably Handsome? Just check out the picture 🙂

 Here are a few quotes for the Hero Aragorn:

 Legolas: Look at them. They’re frightened. You can see it in their eyes.
[All the men turn to look at him]
Legolas: [in Elvish] And they should be. Three hundred… against ten thousand!
Aragorn: [in Elvish] They have a better chance defending themselves here than at Edoras…
Legolas: [in Elvish] Aragorn… they cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!
Aragorn: [in English] Then I shall die as one of them!

 Aragorn: I do not know what strength is in my blood, but I swear to you I will not let the White City fall, nor our people fail.
Boromir: Our people, our people. I would have would have followed you, my brother… my captain… my king.
Aragorn: Be at peace, Son of Gondor.

Legolas: Hurry! Frodo and Sam have reached the eastern shore.
[Aragorn does not move]
Legolas: You mean not to follow them.
Aragorn: Frodo’s fate is no longer in our hands.
Gimli: Then it has all been in vain. The fellowship has failed.
Aragorn: Not if we hold true to each other.
[pause]
Aragorn: We will not abandon Merry and Pippin to torment and death. Not while we have strength left. Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light. Let’s hunt some Orc. 

 So, today let’s focus on Irrefutably Noble, and I like Cheryl’s definition. “Does the right thing even when no one’s looking, regardless of personal cost”

 A few synonyms for ‘noble’ are – ethical, principled, admirable, just, fair, steadfast, faithful, loyal…

 Wow, what a list.

 How does your hero show nobility?

 It doesn’t have to be an enormous choice, like going into battle to save a halfing. Sometimes the most noble choices are the small, everyday ones.

 For example, in one of my books, my hero has struggled with sexual immorality in his past. In fact, he has a history of not controlling his passions, but when he meets my heroine, he chooses her good over his passions by refusing to be ruled by them. Respecting her above his desires.

 Another example, and a little less ‘common’, is when my WWI hero risks his life to save a fellow soldier who is caught in the German’s barbed wire.

 Or in my other wip, my hero starts each morning by bringing firewood to my heroine’s door – even though she tries to convince him she can do it herself. He knows she’s afraid of going outside in the early morning darkness, so even before the romance starts, his natural inclination is to  be helpful.

 Red in Mary Connealy’s book, Montana Rose, is a great example of everyday nobility. Despite Cassie’s constant screw-ups, he chooses to show grace to her. He sees ‘the best’ in her and with the steadfastness of a lover, he helps her discover who she really is.

 There are so many other ways heroes show nobility, and I’d love to see your examples too.

 Ultimate Hero Note:

 There is no greatershow of nobility than in the character of Jesus Christ. Not only was he nobility due to his royal status, his actions displayed every element of nobility. Loyalty to people who rejected him. Principled by choosing right, even when another path would have been easier. Faithful, keeping his sites set on ‘his father’s business’ and not straying from it. Fair – searching the hearts of people, instead of only dealing with their words.

 I think of the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. He had been fasting for forty days, so he was weak, tired, and hungry. The perfect time for Satan to visit. He slithers into the scene and starts offering Jesus everything his humanness could crave. Food, Glory, and Freedom from suffering. With Scripture as His sword, Jesus sliced through all the Devil’s temptations. He chooses to do what is right BECAUSE it is right.

 At the heart of true nobility is selflessness. It’s also seeing an opportunity as greater than merely one’s self.

 How can you make your hero Christ-like by showing his nobility?

 Hero Quote

 A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.
Joseph Campbell 

Inspirational Quote:

Pay attention to the imagery of these verses. A noble character is described in very visual ways that I’ve highlighted in bold. Also it gives a contrast to a noble character by describing a fool.

^1-8 But look! A king will rule in the right way, and his leaders will carry out justice.
Each one will stand as a shelter from high winds,
   provide safe cover in stormy weather.
Each will be cool running water in parched land,
   a huge granite outcrop giving shade in the desert.
Anyone who looks will see,
   anyone who listens will hear.
The impulsive will make sound decisions,
   the tongue-tied will speak with eloquence.
No more will fools become celebrities,
   nor crooks be rewarded with fame.
For fools are fools and that’s that,
   thinking up new ways to do mischief.
They leave a wake of wrecked lives
   and lies about God,
Turning their backs on the homeless hungry,
   ignoring those dying of thirst in the streets.
And the crooks? Underhanded sneaks they are,
   inventive in sin and scandal,
Exploiting the poor with scams and lies,
   unmoved by the victimized poor.
But those who are noble make noble plans,
   and stand for what is noble.

Isaiah 32:1-3