Do you remember as a child when someone dared you to do something in front of the other neighborhood kids? You wanted to save face in front of your friends, but your insides were quivering. Fear is a common reaction to many dares we are asked to conquer in our lives. Fear also creates a wall between us and that next step.
Many of us would argue that fear is the factor keeping us from brave. If our fears were kept at bay, we would have no difficulty ever being brave. Enter ME… I am by nature afraid of many things. Just telling me I can keep my fears in check, will not persuade me that I can be brave. I need something or someone to help me triumph over fear. It’s more than an assurance that I can overcome. What does this look like for you?
God speaks to us over and over throughout the Bible. He repeats “do not be afraid” as a badge of comfort and means to overcome all that we face in our daily challenges. We find this badge of truth beginning in the Book of Genesis. God speaks to Abram and says…
After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” Genesis 15:1
But God does not stop there and provides the armor of courage in Deuteronomy. He says…
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
As we move into the New Testament, we are reassured that our fear will give way to peace as we continue to lean into God with our whole being. John’s words teach us that our troubled hearts will be replaced with a peace that can only come from God.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
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When we read the words below from Nelson Mandela, we know that triumph over fear is possible because God will equip us with the armor of brave faith, when we choose to wear it with the belief that He conquers all fear.
I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
Nelson Mandela
May we embrace brave faith and wear it proudly as our badge of courage today.
How will you wear your brave faith today?
Let’s be brave in this journey!
Mary
It’s comforting to know that God speaks so directly to our fears with assurances to not be afraid, because He, Himself will be with us. He knows us so well! We can trust Him to do what He says He will do.
Thanks for sharing Mary… loved it! It was a long day here with chores getting things ready for winter. But, this was a respite after the day. THANK YOU!
What a lovely thought to share with me. May the rest of your weekend provide some rest and restoration also as you look to God who is the source of all. Blessings!
Knowing how many times Jesus said those words it gives me comfort to be able to trust in that promise.
It is hard to have the faith that these words are true but that is our humanness taking over. I am praying that we are not afraid because we choose God to help us be brave. Happy weekend.
This is a key concept in being courageous:”we are reassured that our fear will give way to peace as we continue to lean into God with our whole being.” as we look to God to be our peace in the midst of painful situations. The deeper we lean , the stronger we will become. Our faith rests in our faithful God alone, not in ourselves. And the more we seek His face, abiding in His presence, the more peace and confidence will grow on the inside and spread out in our actions. Thanks, Mary! Have a blessed weekend. 🙂 x
I love that Nelson Mandela quote. Thanks for your words today. I needed to hear them.
I am so glad you stopped by. I love how God gives us just the right words when we need them. Have a blessed Sunday.
Oh I love that Mandela quote! It’s so true!!!
Mandela shared some great words that are made clearer when we look at them in the context of God’s truths. Thank you for being here friend!
Dear friend, I have missed a lot from your series. I am so sorry about that! I have been off the internet for a few days now…
About overcoming the fear, the Lord is taking charge of that.
Thank you for your lovely words today.
Remain blessed, friend.
I always love when you pop over so thank you for making my day. God is in charge of our fear if we are willing to surrender it to Him. Blessings!