Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln's life exemplifies the word unique, in a good way, since not many people achieve presidency in their lifetime. In fact, only forty-three people have received that honor in the history of America. Not all of Abe's life was unique however, as just like everyone his life had an incurable infestation of problems, though his problems weren't average. His mother died, a civil war broke out, and two of his sons died, all before John Wilkes Booth entered his life. The unique thing about Abe is the way he dealt with those problems: with God. He did everything with the aim of doing what God wanted him to do, whether people laughed at and despised him or not. As that feat is not easy by any standards, Abraham Lincoln deserves the title of true hero.

Of the forty-three presidents that governed the United States, Abraham Lincoln shines as one of the best. Losing his mother at age nine, he didn’t have the happiest childhood, but he grew up to change a nation. He started his career as a lawyer in his early twenties and eventually became the sixteenth American president with his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, at his side. Sadly, his presidency occurred during very hard times, both for the country and for his own family. America broke out into civil war soon after he was elected, and two of his four sons died of disease. To top it off, he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on Good Friday shortly after the war ended. His wife went insane soon after.

Abe wasn’t perfect, but he did change a lot of things for the better. The Emancipation Proclamation is only one example. Deeply affected by the war and all the problems he faced, Abe turned to God for help, and God answered him by giving him strength to face his problems. The president kept on going, despite huge obstacles, including the realization that only two of his sons would live to adulthood. In truth, only his oldest and least favorite son survived that long. Still, the sixteenth president was special in a way not seen since George Washington. His Gettysburg Address is just as famous as the Declaration of Independence. This imperfect man changed many lives for the better, both African American and white.

I believe that Abraham Lincoln is a hero for several reasons. First, he governed the country during a civil war! It takes a lot to be a president at all; it must have given him nightmares in the midst of a war. Second, he was a devout Christian even when he probably felt like his world was falling apart, and he was partly responsible for many young men dying. That must have been hard. Third, he is one of my role models because he wouldn’t lie, similar to George Washington. The way Abe lived epitomizes all that is heroic. I totally agree with what someone said about him: “Jesus died for the world, Abraham Lincoln died for his country.”

Of all of the many heroic people who dedicated their lives to serve God and those they love, Abraham Lincoln ranks as one of the best. He dealt with tragedy and sorrow, pressure and hatred, and much more. Although he faced terrible things, he never lost his compassion or his faith in God. Since the people had elected him president of America, he went through even more than he would have otherwise. His reaction to the pressures he faced, turning to God, proves his nobility. His life approaches the standard that all Christians should attempt to live up to as much as it is possible to approach.