BRAVE
COURAGEOUS
FEARLESS
Three words that have been on my heart lately. Never before, if I’m honest. Yes, I have had moments of courage, moments where I haven’t let fear get in the way of God’s calling or leading. But oh how I have given into fear. So often I let it stop me from loving people, from taking risks, from doing what the Spirit was leading me to do. No more. I don’t want to play it safe. I want to step out in faith.
When I get to the end of my race, I don’t want to look back and say, “Wow, sweet. I really played everything safe, and what a great life. I lived with mediocrity. I kept to myself. I never stepped out into the adventure God had for me. Instead I stayed right here where it’s comfortable. It was a decent life.”
No way! I want to look back and say, “Wow Lord! Look where you led me. Look at how your hand was on me, and although I was scared at times or even doubted, you gave me the strength and faith to continue; to trust You. What a crazy adventure you had for me. And the best part—at every step You were with me. At every step, You drew me closer to Yourself.”
I want to be a woman of courage.
A woman who takes risks.
Who asks the hard questions.
Who pursues people who I’m intimidated by because I want to love them like Jesus loves them.
I want to be in prayer constantly to see people and situations like Jesus sees them.
I want to invite people into my life like Jesus did, and not let the fear of man get in the way.
I want to do what He calls me to do, and not let the fear of failure stop me.
I want to step out. To not just take a leap of faith. But rather, have faith in the Mighty One who is with me always.
Ladies, let us be known for these three words. Let’s throw off fear. Throw off cowardness. Throw off our timidity.
And let us adorn ourselves with bravery.
I know it’s not as easy as just saying it, just wanting it. We have to look to Him, instead of our fear. We have to look to Him, instead of our situation. We have to look to Him, not our ability, or inability for that matter. He is able. He is mighty. He is our shield. He holds us, and has our hearts. In Him, we are free. In Him, we are cared for. In Him, we are fully loved. In Him, we have full acceptance.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Describe a moment when you stepped out in courage and did what the Lord was leading you to do? What area of your life do you see that you’re playing it safe? What is God calling you to do?
Thank you for sharing this, Alyssa! Your words are so encouraging, refreshing, and helpful. This verse came to mind as I read your article: 2 Timothy 1:7
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
He fully gives us what we need to live boldly for Him!
I love this!! You worded everything perfectly!
”…Who pursues people who I’m intimidated by because I want to love them like Jesus loves them…”
Yes! I know I love people through Christ, but do I ever pursue friendships with those who intimidate me? Look ‘oh-so-perfect’ on the outside, to the point where I feel they probably won’t even want to talk to me if I am simply friendly to them. No. It’s so easy to just look at them like “wow, what makes them think they’re so high and mighty and righteous!” I can still reach out and be a friend, even if they scare me. It seems every church small group I’ve been to, there have been those girls that seem to have it all together, share with everyone how much they love on everyone else – but not once can I remember one of those girls ever being friends with me. Maybe if I had pursued friendships with them first that they’d open up to me too? I’ll never know. I’m still young, I will still have chances to break out, be brave, and reach out to others how God wants me to. Thanks for posting this! 🙂
This message of strength and courage has been on my heart as well. In scripture it says that He upholds us. Fear is the root of anxiety and worry. I WILL NOT operate my life in fear. I choose not to. Though responsibilities and expectations seem to weigh my spirit down I choose not to remain heavy and broken. HE upholds me. Im 20 years old and though I understand that Im simply learning the ways of life, I have to say it often feels lonely and hard. Its easy to give into other things (guys, food, clothes, practical things) and make them my god. Im learning how to step out in faith on my own. Ive never experienced His strength well up in me in such a way until now. And for that I am so grateful. Thanks Alyssa for encouraging me so much!
I know exactly what you are saying Amanda! Stay encouraged I am praying for you!
I love you!
I don’t know if it’s the same, but recently God convicted me of my sin and called me to end a relationship with a guy I had – we kept falling into sexual sin and him being non-Christian made it hard to convince him that we had to stop and repent, and me always wanting to please him would just do what I had to do to keep him there..it was habitual sin and I felt sick with guilt and fear that I was living without God. After God gave me courage to end it, I sometimes feel weak and scared now that I’m alone.. but I feel like I’m finally walking in the light – no more darkness. I need courage to walk forward in going against the ways of this world – in being abstinent until marriage from now on, and in the future finding someone who is truly a man after God’s heart and will be able to accept me for my past. Please pray for me. Thank you for your encouragement.
Thank you so much for sharing Helen. Girl, I am so proud of you! You did the right thing. You repented and turned from sin, and are walking trusting the Lord. Keep pressing into Him- finding your healing and hope in Him. And continue to pour your heart out to the Lord with your desires for a godly husband–he is so faithful to hear. Love you!
Hi Alyssa!
I really love this post 🙂 I’ve also woken up and said “I cannot live in mediocrity. I have to stop being afraid, and live out my faith courageously.” I really felt God telling me that it was a-okay to be radical! There is nothing wrong with being known as “that Jesus freak”! God has spoken to me about this, and even through this post, I know He wanted me to see this. As I’m stepping out in trying to work in ending human trafficking, I’ve embraced being radical, and have even opened up about being brave in a recent blog post of mine. I’ll link the blog post to my name above 🙂 Thank you so much for writing this!