Be Brave

Every year I try to pick a word or a phrase that is my theme for the year. This year my phrase is “Be Brave!”. And, as He always does, God has continued to make this a thread through my life this year. I attended a writer’s retreat in February and as a gift, I received a necklace that says those exact words- Be Brave. I wear it around my neck almost everyday and it serves as a reminder of what God has called me to this year.

God has taught me a ton over the past few months about bravery and courage through the stories of heroes in the Bible, heroes in church history and real life heroes that I encounter on a daily basis. Last night I was struck that maybe what I’ve been learning should become a post series on my blog. So, over the next few weeks to months, I will be exploring this topic of bravery with God.

We all need to be braver in our daily lives. Some of us need to be brave as we parent, some of us need to be brave as we fight for our marriage, some of us need to be brave as we step out in a new career or as we fight to save our current one, some of us need to be brave as we care for aging parents, some of us need to be brave as we serve in our churches, in our communities and in our schools and some of us live on the other side of the world and need to be brave because our life is at risk as we worship Jesus.

Wherever you are in life, I’m pretty positive God is calling you to be brave in some way. My prayer is that as God is teaching me how to be brave; I could in turn encourage you as you fight the good fight courageously day in and day out.

Join me on this journey to becoming braver Christ followers!

“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!” Psalm 31:24 (ESV)