Have you ever found yourself going through a season or a situation where you are forced to stand up, rise above, and courageously face it all head on? Or have you felt an overwhelming sense of drowning in it all – almost as if you can’t do it anymore; like you can’t hold on to to hope anymore?

Sometimes seasons can be full of joy and blessing, and we move in it with a sense of ease. Other seasons tend to feel more enduring and overwhelming, and we feel almost as if we can’t carry the weight of it all. We can either let the trial of the season hold us captive, or we can hold our head high and move boldly through the unknown, knowing that hope is on the way!

Brave definition:

Having or showing courage, or courageous endurance. 

Brave synonyms:

Bold, daring, intrepid, dauntless, valiant, fearless, courageous, confident whilst facing difficulties. 

Sometimes seasons that are more enduring can shake our confidence and cause us to fear, and may even leave us feeling hopeless. This causes us to think negatively of our situation, and it causes us to remain in that season of frustration, because we fear facing it head on. However, if we want to see things around us start to change, we need to change our perspective and face our fears head on.

Being brave could look like this

Being brave requires an action; it could look different for everyone:

  • Deciding every day to get out of bed and face whatever it is that needs to be faced.
  • Taking a step forward, little steps day by day, in the hope of moving forward.
  • Daring to believe that things will eventually improve.
  • Holding on to hope.
  • Declaring God’s goodness and favour over your situation.

The thing about being brave; is that is doesn’t come with the absence of fear and hurt.
Bravery is the ability to look fear and hurt in the face, and say “Move aside, you are in the way”.
Melissa Tumino

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

Just know

Sometimes we need to change our perspective and replace fearful thoughts with thoughts of hope, and be reminded of the following:

  • Your situation does not define you.
  • You will not stay in your season forever. Seasons always change.
  • God has not forgotten about you, therefore He will not leave you or abandon you.
  • You are braver than you know; more courageous than you realise. Do not sell yourself short!

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go before you. He will be with you, and He will neither fail you, nor abandon you.
Deuteronomy 31:8

I have often found in the challenging seasons that the moment I decide to rise above it and hold on to hope as I walk through it, I find my season starts to change and I realise in those moments of being brave that I am indeed braver than I give myself credit for. The same goes for you: you are braver and stronger than you will ever truly know or realise. Therefore, do not give up, hold onto hope as you move courageously forward through the storm! Just know that God is with you, and will strengthen you, and He will not leave you or forget about you! Dare to believe in Him, and in His promises. Dare to rise above, and take small daily actions of hope!

If this post spoke to you, and you would like to know more about living a life courageously, then may I encourage you to click on the link below.