As children we role played and pretended to be superheros. Playing make-believe allowed us to pretend to be someone else; someone who was strong, fearless and powerful. Through imagination we were able activate the power within ourselves to conquer whatever obstacle stood in our way.

As adults, we all still want to be the brave one who faces battles head on with confidence knowing we will come out victorious. But many of us have to dig deep sometimes to find this inner courage.

As we experience life, we are faced with many challenges and struggles we never imagined would come our way. Sometimes we are faced with battles out of no where that we were never prepared to face or fight. No one is spared from coming face to face with betrayal, grief, tragedy, illness, addiction, racism, unemployment, demotion, hatred or even anger at one point or another.

When life happens and your face to face with the impossible, know that with time and God by your side you can and will be a victorious conqueror.

In order to face life’s struggles with bravery we must first realize that our brave does not look the same as the next persons. God created us each with different strengths and weaknesses and we all overcome battles in different ways, according to our own individual callings.

When you come face to face with your struggle or challenge, do not measure your strength by looking at how someone else overcame their battle.

When you’re in situation that is uncomfortable we don’t always have to fight to come out victorious. Sometimes staying silent and allowing time for God to move in the situation is best. When you don’t know the right words to say or you are experiencing hurt or anger toward someone, silence is best. It is not always easy – But it is best. Speaking from emotion may worsen a situation. Silence allows you the time to process your thoughts and determine if a response is necessary. So don’t mistake silence for cowardliness.

When the words don’t come naturally, it may mean this is one to give to God to handle.

In addition to the outside forces many times we are up against internal battles. Fear is an emotion that weakens many of us and can hold us back in life. We all have dreams, goals and personal desires we want to see come to fruition in life. Yet sometimes we are so scared of failure that we keep putting off taking the steps to get where we want to be.

Where there is fear, there is no peace. So when you realize that fear is holding you back, try to identify why that fear exists and create a plan to conquer it.

Identifying your fears is your first step to being brave. When you understand that healing needs to take place, that is when God can begin his work in you. Acknowledge that his power works best in your weakness and surrender the situation to him (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Look to God for direction to handle every circumstance and know that through him you can do ALL things (Philippians 4:13).

Creating change in your life is not always easy and can be scary. But choose to wake up each morning embracing your inner attitude of bravery and you will begin to create a positive habit. A daily choice to have an attitude of courage will get you moving in the direction toward your dreams, goals and the purpose God created you for.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV

Father,

I lift up anyone who may be struggling with feelings of fear. You know the individual struggles that every reader is currently going through. Give us the strength to Be Brave in the unique way that you created each of us in.  Help us to embrace our individual life journeys and to love who we are without comparison to where others may be in their life. Father, may we only look at the way others are conquering their battles for inspiration and may we not feel the need to handle our circumstances the same way they have. May we instead seek your guidance for our own unique directions to go in.

Father God, you alone know every battle we each have faced and will face in the future. Direct our paths and remind us to look to you when we don’t know how to handle a situation or can’t find the words. Father, thank you for being with us in every moment of each passing day. Keep us reminded that you are right there beside us in every situation.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Growing with you,

Sandy