I have never believed the word “brave” is one others would choose to describe me, but sometimes what we believe about ourselves is not what God has chosen for us. This journey I am walking right now is all about brave and it does not always look brave from the outside, but the work going on inside is huge and its creating a brave space.
Becoming brave is a process of forward, backward and even sideways. It is stretching who I am to become who God wants me to be. It is a constant struggle between stepping toward brave while at the same time turning away from fear. My steps look very much like the ones that Peter took when he walked on the water toward Jesus, one dark, stormy night. Peter took that leap of faith, but several seconds later, he froze with fear when He took His eyes off Jesus. Isn’t that how most of us as react when we try to remain faithful, but as soon as something draws us away, we sink?
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We are only brave when we keep our eyes focused on God. Each step toward God leads us on the journey of embracing brave faith. It is knowing that sometimes being brave requires faith of the unknown while at the same time knowing that God makes all things known as He is ready. Brave is taking one step closer to living a life in which God is in charge.
I recently began reading John Ortberg’s book, If You Want to Walk on Water You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat. Wow! It only took reading the preface to know that this book will teach me, lead me and remake me as a follower of God. Mr. Ortberg asks us to take a walk and begins to share how you must water walk, if you you want to experience a deeper presence with God.
We are all made for this even though in our hearts we might not believe it. Mr. Ortberg writes of the consistent pattern we find in Scripture to describe what our lives look like when God calls us to more. He shares the following:
There is always a call.
There is always fear.
There is always reassurance.
There is always a decision.
There is always a changed life.
Saying “yes” to brave faith will be the hardest thing we do, the scariest and the best way to learn who we are and who God has chosen us to be. We become brave in our yeses and noes but always because we have turned to God to lead the way.
What does becoming brave look like to you?
In grace and peace,
Mary
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I have to agree — being brave is saying YES to God when our natural man desperately tells us to say no. Being brave is doing things that aren’t easy because we feel called to them. Being brave is knowing that we can do ALL THINGS — but that, without Christ, we can do nothing.
I love how you state what being brave is above. Saying yes when we desperately want to say no and knowing we can do all things but without Christ we can do nothing. Amen! Christ is the common factor we need to have in order to live out our brave faith. I am blessed by your encouragement and presence here today.
I love John Ortberg, but haven’t read that book. The title grabs my attention though. I love your statement: “Brave is taking one step closer to living a life in which God is in charge.” That certainly brings things into perspective. Bless you on your way to living a braver life, Mary. You are an encouragement!
So good to have you here today, Betsy! This is the first book by John Ortberg that I have begun to read. Based on the little I have read, I know it is going to be amazing. Plus I’m sure if I like this book I will be digging into some of his other books. I am only brave because makes me brave. Left alone, I would never be brave. Love seeing you and blessed that you joined in on the conversation.
Thanks Mary! Saying yes to brave today! We sure need this encouragement for today.
Glad you are here today, Doris! Thank you for saying “yes” to brave and may ti lead you to more than you thought possible.Blessings!
THIS: “Saying “yes” to brave faith will be the hardest thing we do, the scariest and the best way to learn who we are and who God has chosen us to be!” We just have to take that first step out of the boat, don’t we?
Yes! Come and step out of the boat with me!!! The hardest part is that first step but I can only imagine the rewards and joy in Jesus’ eyes when we do. Glad to have you along for the ride my friend!
Becoming brave means opening up and sharing the hard parts of my story with others. I’m a pretty private person, and even have a hard time asking for prayer request at church or work during worship.
I understand the introverted life and rarely share personal things about myself unless I have a strong prompting from God. You are brave in telling your story more than you know and the impact that it will have will be amazing. It seems you are a fixer much like me which means we take care of things and don’t ask others for help because we think we can do it all by ourselves. Thanks for being here with me!
John Ortberg’s book certainly does have a lot to teach us about stepping out in faith and being brave in the process. It’s a timely read for you, Mary. Brave for me in this season is letting go , laying aside and letting God when it comes to my life /writing goals and dreams. It’s a time to rest in Him and not in my ambitions. It feels scary because I can’t press on in my own way and timing, only His. It takes courage to trust Him for a far better outcome than trying to do things in my ‘Martha way’, albeit with limited strength, but I know the wait will be worth it in the end! I’m loving the way God is leading you and teaching you in this area. 🙂 x
Resting in God and not our ambitions! Amen! I am never successful when I am doing things alone. I need God and I am learning how much in this journey to brave faith. I have not read much of John Ortberg’s book but I will be reading the rest when I have a bit more time. Thank you for your encouraging words, Joy! I love how God teaches us in the midst of our writing. Blessings friend!
Peter, and all the disciples really, are such encouraging examples of BRAVE. Before the resurrection, the were fearful, and did not understand the basic truths Jesus told them, contrast that with their actions after the resurrection! They were much more bold, even to the point of death. I think this is true for all of us. We all need to encounter the resurrected Lord before we can begin to be brave. This side of heaven, it will always be a process, I think. Always involve those steps that Ortberg wrote about. And, as you say, it will look different for each one of us. Such good stuff, Mary!
Thank you for pointing out not only Peter but all of the disciples. There was a big difference in how they shared Jesus that is separated by events before the resurrection and those after. When we read their stories and see their brave faith after the resurrection it is very much that way for us. We do need to encounter the resurrected Lord to become fully brave. Don’t you love John Ortberg’s steps that he laid out. I have not been able to read too much more of his book but it has been very impactful. Love having you here!
Being brave for me, in this day and age, is never wavering on my convictions and always saying YES to the Lord. Yes, Lord!
That does sound like an excellent book! Brave for me today was standing up for my beliefs. It really was nothing, certainly nothing like the lives that were lost recently in the shooting in Oregon, but I struggle with bravery. Fear is such an obstacle for me so this sounds like a a really great series. I am glad you are doing this topic.
Fear can be the biggest factor in holding us back from being brave. But sometimes we still fear as we are stepping out into brave. Think of Peter when he stepped out of the boat. I am sure there was a sense of fear but the pull to walk toward Jesus was stronger. Standing up for our beliefs is always brave. I imagine you are doing more brave things than you realize because when you move out of your comfort zone, you are being brave. Thank you for being here!
I loe your conviction to always say “yes” to God. I am learning how to do this but what I know is how much this honors Him. I love that you are following along with my brave journey. Hugs!
Hi Mary! Brave looks like facing the facts and not blinking. Brave cries and says ‘why’ and then regroups and walks again.
It seems like I have a lot of people in my life with cancer, and it is a TERRIBLE disease. Yet each of them accepts and fights and cries in different ways, but they all keep walking. None have sunk to pity and self-involvement. That’s BRAVE.
Monday blessings,
Ceil
My heart is aching for the journey you are going through with your friends who have cancer. It is a true testament to God that they have embraced their struggle so well. I agree-that is brave! I am thankful that you shared “brave cries and says “why” and then regroups and walks again”. Those are powerful words that describe brave for me. So glad you added your wisdom to the conversation. Hugs friend!
I love this –and I think I am going to need to get that book! (uh oh!) LOL! Great post, my friend! Brave for me is continuing to say yes… in big and small ways! That has become my prayer: Yes, Lord (even when my flesh is not so sure yet!)
I know how much you love books, Karrilee! I’m right there with you but when I saw the title of this book several weeks ago and realized it was only $5, I knew I needed to buy it. Thank you for sharing your brave. I am also working on saying “yes” when God comes calling. Sometimes it is better not to think too long about something when your heart is being prompted by God. Hugs friend!
I guess I really like the comfort of that boat, ya’ know, Mary? You’re right, nobody else knows how the struggle to be brave rages within another soul.
Thanks for going there today, friend. Let’s keep pressing on through this together, ok?
Hugs …
I am a “stay in the boat” kind of girl too. But God is working on me and that is not where He wants me to stay. I love that we are pressing on together, Linda. It means so much!
Mary,
So true that we “have to get out of the boat!” For me, being brave is setting aside my feelings of inadequacy in order to follow what God is calling me to. It’s so easy to give God my excuses and explain why I’m not the right person. As the saying goes, “God doesn’t ask about our ability, He asks about our availability.” He is ultimately the One who works through me…if only I let Him. Good stuff this morning!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Good words from you too! It is so easy for me to also talk myself out of being the one that should step up to do something because of inadequacy and also excuses. I love your quote “God doesn’t ask about our ability, He asks about our availability.” Amen. That is a huge lesson for me that I am still learning. Thank you for being here. It means so much!
Hi Mary,
“We only become brave when we have our eyes fixed on God”
Yes my dear friend Yes!
Looking forward to what God is teaching us through your series.
God Bless.
I know God is using these words to show me I am brave. Too often I dismiss that I am brave and consequently I am not always following God’s call. I am praying daily that I know I am brave so I can honor God the way He needs to be honored. Blessings friend!