“BE BOLD” said the momma to her daughter. “I want you to grow up to be bold!”
The daughter gazed intently at her mom through her chocolate brown eyes, absorbing every word. I sat across the table soaking in this momma’s advice to her daughter, knowing that this truth could apply to anyone.
Advice was given, advice was taken and advice was acted upon in that moment.
I looked intently at the daughter and asked as I do of all my students “Is there anything I can do for you?” Her answer spilled forth with tears in her eyes and her voice quivering. A whispered question from a student who had held this inside, now was voiced. The small voice reflected a new boldness and my first words in return were “You are so brave”. A smile crossed my face as the daughter’s first act of boldness took root.
I reassured her that I would help her find an answer to her question but told her how proud I was that in that moment, she showed bravery – Â the first step was taken toward boldness – Â the first step was taken to fulfilling her momma’s wish.
Her mom’s physical presence was enough to provide this normally reserved and quiet daughter the strength to “be bold”. God’s presence blessed this conversation and in the act of quiet prayers within our hearts, God made us all bold.
When I called, you answered me, you made me bold and stouthearted. Psalm 138:3
God knew exactly what this momma and daughter needed because God knows us each so intimately.
You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
2Â You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
4Â Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely. Psalm 139:1-4
Acts 4:23-31 outlines a “Believers Prayer” which was a response to when Peter and John were sharing the message of Jesus and His resurrection and were imprisoned as a result. The two were brought before Annas, the high priest, as well as other priests and elders. The Holy Spirit filled the two with boldness so when they were asked by what power or name did they share the message of Jesus, their courage was enough for the high priests to also sense the spirit of God and they were released. Peter and John returned to the rest of their people and reported all that had happened. In one voice of boldness and with thanksgiving in their hearts this prayer was lifted up to God.
God will provide boldness when we feel uncertain. He asks that we thank Him in advance and come to Him in prayer for all we need, always remembering that God’s answer may not be a fix to the problem, but instead will give us the strength and courage required to deal with it.
Whispers for boldness were on the hearts of this momma and daughter. God heard and answered. One step of boldness will lead to another and another – producing strength and courage.
God asks us to be bold for Him…
Bold to proclaim that He is who He says He is! Â Bold to share His love with others. Bold to allow God to work through us to reach others.
Will you be bold today? What does bold look like to you?
Linking up this year with Ann Voskamp’s 2014 Joy Dare. Find the link up at A Holy Experience. Counting blessings daily will bless you immeasurably! JoyDare #163-204
- Starting my week prepared and knowing God is with me, taking a walk in the cold to refresh after work, yummy taco soup
- Blessing of a good friend to talk to at the end of the day,sun shining brightly, God never leaving my side
- Joy of student answering a question, cold but not too cold for outside recess, silhouette of crescent moon
- Student “M” saying he felt “wonderful”, fun Jeopardy game as science review, joy of it being Friday eve
- God’s mercies are new every morning, laughter and joy at the end of a long week, checked 2 items off to do list
- A visit from my son,lunch & afternoon coffee break with a friend-so fun,a phone conversation with a brother this evening
- The feeling of accomplishment when to do list is checked off, warm and snuggly in my house,another winter storm outside
- God’s goodness revealed through the grace of friends, joy in a day to explore other possibilities, healthy eating
- March madness competition at school, affirmation of friends, crisp morning sunny afternoon
- A walk outside in the cold to reset, refocus, students working hard and motivated, sun chasing blues away
- Long day but blessed with good conversations with parents of my students, anticipation of Spring, Friday Eve!!!
- Students working hard even when test scores don’t prove it, pure sunlight lighting way to work, our Father’s love
- Thanks that the sun is a salve for the weary soul, springing forward to enjoy more daylight, lazy days to refresh
- Feeling under the weather but blessed to have time to rest,comfort food to ease my headache,getting ready for a new week
Love linking with these friends:
     
      
      
Boldness requires faith. I keep asking the Lord to increase my faith, that I may have more boldness. Thank you for sharing at The Weekend Brew!
Romans 1:16 and 2 Timothy 1:7 come to mind:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”
May God grant us all a boldness for His glory.
2 Timothy 1:7 is one of my favorites! Thank you for the reminder. Praying we are all bold in our walk with Christ.
I just read that Psalm 138 verse just yesterday during my quiet time. I find the word “stouthearted” to be both humorous and comforting. Humorous because I picture a scrappy, stout little man personifying “stouthearted” and comforting because being bold isn’t my strong suit. {Although I do have my “bold” moments!} Thanks for this encouraging reminder, Mary. Your words and, of course, Peter and John’s words encourage me this morning to step out in faith!
I think the key to boldness is safety. We don’t want to speak up in a hostile environment or even an uncertain one. Knowing God gives us His boldness, for He fears nothing! Thanks for the great post!
Absolutely, Lisa! We also need to consider that being bold requires us to move out of that zone of safety in order to truly be brave. Loved that you stopped by! Blessings!
I love the verse you shared from Psalm 138. Stouthearted is such a great word & not one I use very often. To me it speaks of being resolute, determined, uncompromised. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. Something to think about today 🙂 Blessings!
Thank you Joanne! I love that you used the word determined because I believe that being bold requires a sense of determination in order to step out and be brave. Blessed you stopped by today!
Oh, how often we need that boldness. And doesn’t being bold make the fear flee? Great post, Mary. Thanks for linking up to Testimony Tuesday!
Holly – God wants us to be bold and many times it is the fear that wins over what we are meant to be doing. I’m reading “Restless” right now by Jennie Allen and it addresses that fear and also how to be bold for God. Blessed you stopped by, my friend!
I love this and am leaning in more, trying on Brave… (I am reading Restless too – loving it! Are you joining in online on Mondays too?)
Trying on brave looks good but it doesn’t always feel good. Learning that God strengthens us with each step we take toward courage in our walk to know Him better. See you online Monday at the Restless study!