For days I’d been trying to figure out how to encourage you about something I’ve had to do I feel like my entire life–being brave–but was most times terrified along the way. I think some part of me believed that bravery meant the absence of fear. That being brave somehow meant I should be immune to the waves of anxiety that hit my heart.
I believed that if I was afraid I wasn’t being brave, but that simply isn’t true. Bravery and courage only show up when fear rears its ugly head. Bravery and courage are only options when something rises up to stop you from being absolutely everything God has called you to be and attain absolutely everything God has for you.
I’d given room for the enemy to steal every bit of joy I had and convince me that I was in this life alone…
Honestly, I had a massive fear attack a week ago because I’d allowed all of the fear of the “what ifs” to become a reality in my heart. I’d given room for the enemy to steal every bit of joy I had and convince me that I was in this life alone and that I had to protect my family, alone, from every potential danger out there. But I also had to be supportive and loving and brave and happy all at the same time.
It was exhausting.
I had taken on the task of being brave as a one-woman show and it was eating me up inside. When I asked God, “How can I be brave when I’m so scared?” He simply said, “Trust Me. Follow Me.” And He repeated the same thing over and over again until it sank into my heart.
So the first thing we should address is that being brave is not another thing you have to do– it’s simply continuing to move forward, one step at a time, trusting that God is holding you and guiding you every bit of the way.
…being brave is not another thing you have to do–it’s simply continuing to move forward, one step at a time, trusting that God is holding you and guiding you every bit of the way.
Being brave is not pretending you’re not scared or nervous or confused, or even clueless as to what God is doing. Being brave is not a mask to wear to cover up how you actually feel. It’s acknowledging the reality of a situation and acknowledging God is still bigger, and consistently handing over your fear WHILE setting your mind on His promises and moving forward.
All of our “moving forward” can look different. It may be going to the store to buy food for your babies, or yourself, in the midst of this pandemic. It could be writing your third book after being told you’re a terrible writer but you know God told you there are healing words within you. It could be making plans to have a family or creating and managing a successful business after the doctor just gave you difficult health news. It could also be willing yourself to make it through another day because God said joy would come in the morning and you’re expecting your God-promised, joyous morning.
We have to take this unrealistic weight off of ourselves to always be shiny and put together. Being brave is sometimes gritty and messy. Whenever we see someone about to “be brave” they’ll do things like pull their hair back in a messy bun–rip off unnecessary objects or material that may get in their way on the journey–or put war paint on their faces as a symbol of their decision that they will conquer whatever it is at all costs.
They are always prepared to get messy.
So I was watching a movie, y’all knew this was coming lol, and of course it was Frozen 2–because what else is there to watch right now???– And there’s a scene where Elsa has to cross an erratic ocean in order to get to a place where she finds her true identity. Play the clip below and really pay attention and take in the scene.
Video Clip: Elsa+Ocean+Water Horse Taming Scene
This scene was so powerful to me because when we decide to be brave, in order to truly seek out who we are and walk in our purpose, it’s breathtaking to the onlooker. In this scene, Elsa has made a choice to cross the ocean that…
1. Her parents couldn’t cross, and
2. She didn’t have a boat or ship. The most obvious thing you would think someone would have when crossing an ocean, other than a plane.
She used what she had and what was familiar and powerful for her. She used what was once deemed a curse as a tool to help her find her identity. She used what God had gifted her with in order to stand against the raging sea. Then she runs into the horse, possibly the thing that blocked her parents from reaching the island, and instead of her turning back or even running, she faced it and used her “slingshot and stone” against this “goliath.” The very thing that tried to kill her became a mighty tool used to get her out of raging waters and to the place she would finally learn and walk in her true identity. It immediately makes me think of Genesis 50:20…
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” NLT
When God calls us to be brave, it’s never to be done without Him or outside of Him. It’s also never asked to be done with perfection or using other peoples “tools.” Take what God has given you and tie your hair up, throw off what you don’t need and go for it! Even if there was no example set before you, do it. Even if the generations before you couldn’t accomplish what you are setting out to do. Do it! Dream it. Fight for it. Fight for your life and what God has called you to do knowing that as long as you’re in God’s will there’s no safer place.
Discuss with Your Tribe
*Cover your time in prayer.
- Question #1: What unrealistic idea or expectation did/do you have about what it looks like to be brave?
- Question #2: What’s the “Goliath” in your life that’s keeping you from moving forward?
- Question #3: What’s your “slingshot and stone” ?
Personal Activity:
- Over the next couple of days, think about what “moving forward” looks like for you and write down steps to take and give yourself a start date.
PPC DISCUSSION: Hopeless and Heartsick
Photo by Teymi Townsend on Unsplash
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