I was sharing with a friend recently that brave is going to look good on me! It is putting on the armor of God and walking forward in courage to what He calls you to do in your life. It is the outer strength that wraps the inner core of fear with a desire to step out and say “yes”.
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12 NLT
[Tweet “Brave looks good on you when you wear God’s armor as your own.”]
What does brave look like? How will brave become your armor?
~ Brave looks like strength. Inner and outer strength colliding in the act of letting go your fear to God.
~ Brave looks like confidence. A simple “yes” becomes a domino effect in which many yeses will follow. God is not satisfied with a one time act of stepping out of the boat to walk toward Him. His plans are bigger and so much better than our own.
~ Brave is beautiful. God’s beauty surrounds you and fills you with each brave step toward Him.
Wearing the armor of bravery requires some key components.
~ Brave is God’s truth found in His Word. His promises are found in every word and every passage. Immerse yourself, embrace the truth and try on brave for yourself.
Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up.
Expect God to get here soon. Psalm 31:24 MSG
~ Brave is community. We are never asked to take that first step toward brave alone. When the storms come your way along the path to brave and it looks like isolation, choose to continue the journey in community.
~ Brave is commitment. Taking the first step and surrendering to Jesus could mean that we are saying yes over and over again. Perseverance is needed in the process because doubt and fear will certainly try to be our companions along the way. Say “yes” and surrender all over again if your focus becomes cloudy. Jesus will be there every time we start over.
I am learning that brave is not a one and done proposition. Brave is the act of saying “yes” when “yes” is the last thing you want to do. One brave step leads to another. It is never finished because God continues to ask more and more of us as one “yes” turns into many.
[Tweet “Brave is taking one step closer to living a life in which God is in charge.”]
What does your brave look like? How do you wear brave?
In grace and peace ~
Mary
Linking with these lovely ladies this week…
Holly @Testimony Tuesday
Kelly @RaRalinkup
Jennifer @ TellHisStory
Beth @ Wedded Wednesday
Susan Mead #DanceWithJesus linkup
Lisha #GiveMeGrace linkup
Love this – great post! Brave does look great when we step out in faith. Not always an easy suit to put on, but how wonderful when we do.
Love this! Brave does look good when we wear it! Although there are some days I’m afraid to put on that suit, I know it will look good.
There is nothing easy about brave but when we allow God to fit us with His armor, we are given the strength and courage we need. Thank you for being here Kathryn. May the coming week be blessed!
Brave already looks fabulous on you, my friend! This is one I’m working on: “God is not satisfied with a one time act of stepping out of the boat to walk toward Him.” I’ve always felt by taking the first step, he would take me the rest of the way in some easy form :). I’m quickly learning that’s not the case. I have to keep saying yes and moving forward even when it’s hard. I’m always encouraged by your words, Mary!
Your sweet words always lift me up when I need them most. God knew what He was doing when He connected us on the web and now in real life. praying for brave yeses for both of us as we take those next steps. Have a blessed weekend.
It’s no surprise to me that God is bringing “courage” and “bravery” to your mind and focus these days, Mary! And you are very brave, girlfriend! But I’m dying to know if you have any clarity on what that next adventure might be! Maybe you’ve already revealed more details about it and I’ve missed it. If so, forgive me for overlooking any hint you’ve given us. But know that I’m praying for your new and next adventure–whatever it might be!
God knows what I need exactly when I need it and I love that intimate knowing He has of each one os us. It is such a blessing. I have some clarity about the future which will continue to unfold as time goes on. I would love to share it with you sometime. Hope your anniversary weekend away is blessed.
Love this – “Brave is God’s truth found in His word.” I so needed to hear that today. Thanks, Mary! xoxo
I love when you stop by Holly! So much to be brave about as we face the future. Hope your weekend is blessed and your moments with family are treasured.
Mary, thank you so much for your encouraging comments on my posts … I love this post and your Tweets, especially the last one…living a life in which God is in charge, amen ❤️
I love how you dig into scripture. I learn so much from you. Thank you for your sweet words here at my little home. I am blessed by this beautiful writing community and you.
This stood out to me, “Perseverance is needed in the process because doubt and fear will certainly try to be our companions along the way.”
Maybe it’s because I’m praying for perseverance as doubt creeps in with a particular yes I have given God. And I really need that perseverance which comes through devoted time in His Word, in prayer and in community with others.
Great post, Mary.
Love you much.
xoxo
I am learning that any “yes” for God comes with so much more than we expected. There is nothing easy about the path and fear can easily creep in. Let us all pray for God’s brave to be our constant companion every time. Love and hugs!
Love your words, Mary and this especially>>>”I am learning that brave is not a one and done proposition. Brave is the act of saying “yes” when “yes” is the last thing you want to do.” I’ve found this especially true in my own journey of brave steps…that being brave is obedience to God in spite of fear and reservation. Thank you for the refresher course this morning! So blessed to stop by from #testimonytuesday.
So glad you are here Tiffany. I love how brave does look good on us as soon as we say that first “yes”. Learning about brave is something my church was just digging into but the lessons are reaching far beyond those weekly messages. Praying that our fear is replaced by God’s brave and the result is beautiful.
Hi Mary! I like the point of brave being community. Not only should we be connected to our lives, but the things we do affect the people around us. We should bravely do what we are called to do because it can definitely help our communities.
Stepping forward, especially when it’s scary and new, is not that easy. But there’s a reason you’re being called, so go ahead! Step out and be brave! You’ll never know what you could have done unless you do.
Blessings,
Ceil
We certainly don’t know brave until we step out and try it. God loves that first yes and cannot wait to grab your hand and pull you forward. Thank you for always being here and encouraging me in my own journey. Blessings along the way!
Yeah, I want HIS brave. Mine is phony and way too cumbersome. I toss it to the side, ya know?
{and did you get my email about winning a free blog coaching session?!!!}
I need God’s brave because mine is lukewarm at best. I can talk big but really fear can easily take over if I am relying only on myself. So here’s to being brave with God with each new step and each new yes. Praying your move and new step is a deepening of your journey. Blessings friend!
This is a beautiful post, Mary. I like remembering that taking brave steps is like a domino effect. Each time we take one, the next one is easier! Sharing this on Twitter because it’s so good!
God is never finished with us but I have been learning in the process of taking one brave step we are giving God permission to send many more our way. Exciting – yes! Terrifying – another yes but not with God by our side. So glad to have you here and to be in community with you.
Should be not without God by our side!
Wow, I absolutely love this. This past weekend I was away at a prayer/listening retreat. I sensed God telling me that my belief that I am not good with people is a lie of the evil one. I am being encouraged to stand firmly against that lie. For me, that will require so much courage. I love that your words about being brave reminded me that it is being brave through Him, as we wear his armor, and also being brave in community, we are not called to walk this journey alone.
Thank you, sweet friend,
Kamea
Kamea-I love your sweet words and am praying with you that you stand in faith and courage against the lies that surround us. May you step out bravely as you face the enemy trying to tear you down. Reach for God through the strength of community to build you up. Blessings on the way!
Mary – Beautiful post! This here is my favorite line of all > “Brave is the act of saying “yes” when “yes” is the last thing you want to do.” And we are able to say that “yes” knowing He goes with us & before us. Have a wonderful Tuesday!
Brave is bold word that requires bold action. For me brave only happens with God at my side. I tend to be very timid without the strength of God. So glad you are here today. Blessings!