BRAVE has been a buzzword for several years. I’ve listened to speakers and read books about becoming braver but it’s not working. At least, I don’t think it is. I’ve been taking other steps to improve myself as I ride this moving sidewalk we call life, but I’m not sure I’m building any bravery habits.

At least a year ago, I borrowed a book from the library about being brave. It had a catchy title and was written by someone I enjoyed when I heard them speak, so I thought this might be a different approach worth trying.

100 Days to Brave by Annie F. Downs is written in small doses so I hoped I could do this. I texted a friend who is diligent about striving to be the best person he can be so someone out there would know I was trying this. I made it to day eight.

At my library, we can renew a book fifty times before it must be turned in and checked out again. I chose to do that this week, and my new goal is to read all 100 days…even if it takes me another 365 to do it.

The Bible has numerous references telling us to not be afraid. I think conquering fear plays a big role in being brave. But maybe bravery is being afraid and doing it anyway. Yep…I’m pretty sure I’ve heard that quote a few dozen times before and you probably have, too.

Photo by Michael Dziedzic on Unsplash

Living a brave life can come in so many forms and hits us each differently. For many of us, it’s an act of bravery to believe who God says we are. This is one area I’ve been working on. This can be especially true if you don’t hear that belief coming from people around you. I’m sorry if you don’t. I know God believes in you, and most people are so busy they don’t take time to look for others to believe in. Most of us struggle with being brave or feeling worthy. Don’t take it personally if nobody is telling you, “You’ve got this.” God knows you do. Deep down, I think you might believe it also.

I know we each have a purpose we are uniquely called out to live, and it requires us to sometimes be braver than we want to be in order to fulfill that. I’m not saying every moment of our lives is a calling, but yet – I kind of am. Some callings and purposes are for a short season while others may be a part of your entire life.

When I took the church job I had, it was certainly a calling for me. Years later, I sensed that being lifted but I could see the root of my calling was to support others and I found new ways to do that.

Sometimes people will interrupt your calling, leaving you to question if you have a purpose. This is a scary place to be. I know this one from personal experience and I had to use every ounce of my faith to believe that man does not determine my calling and purpose; God does.

It’s easy to confuse your activities with your calling. You may have opened a school where you teach adults from other countries to speak English. You think that’s your calling. Then the school closes due to unforeseen circumstances, and you wake up in bed each day, depressed, believing your purpose has been stripped away. You'd be wrong.

I want to challenge you to look beyond the actions, to God’s heart for you. Was it really your calling to open that school, or was it to help people who feel like outsiders believe they belong and are valued equally? Hmmm…

God will never limit your purpose, He has some big ideas for you. We limit ourselves sometimes, don’t we? Others put limiting beliefs on us if we let them. Break free from the lies we hear, externally and internally, and let’s learn how to be brave together.

One More Thing...

What is your purpose, or calling? Do you need someone to believe in you?

Take care, and I'm always here to pray for you if you have a need or request.
Lois Lynn

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