Conviction is defined as “an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence.” In other words, when you are absolutely, 100 percent, totally convinced about something, you have a conviction about that thing, and there’s probably not a whole lot any one could say to convince you to change your mind.

For instance, as an American, I hold a deep conviction that there has never been a better place to live than the United States of America, and there has never been–nor will there ever be–a better government on this earth, than the one that our founding fathers provided us through the US Constitution.

As a businessman, I firmly believe in the concept of the free enterprise system, which gives everyone who is willing to work hard, the opportunity to succeed.

Some of the other convictions I hold are that the Bible is God’s word for us today, that marriage is a covenant, and that “Attitude is Everything.” I do not take any of my convictions lightly. That is perhaps what makes them true convictions, isn’t it?

Have you ever noticed, though, how uncomfortable it can be to stand firm in your convictions when others around you are making fun of you for what you believe? And yet, our belief and faith cuts right to the very core of who we really are as individuals, and it’s in those times when we discover that it takes courage to stand up for our convictions.

Having convictions and having the courage to stand up for them is no small thing, for a person without conviction has nothing to challenge or motivate him. I am reminded of a quote I read recently:

“Convictions are the mainsprings of action, the driving powers of life. What a man lives are his convictions.”

I know being a man of conviction certainly motivates me and I truly want to be a man who lives my convictions. This week, allow me to encourage you to take some time to identify some of your convictions and you’ll be motivated to act on them.