What Does It Mean to Be Brave?
I generally don’t consider myself a brave person. I used to be braver, but the older I get, the more I become the queen of what-ifs and worst-case scenarios. For instance, I’m the mom who comes up with the obscure reference of what happened to so-and-so’s cousin’s nephew “when he did that.”
I’ve been making a conscious effort to stop living in the what-ifs, but it’s an easy trap to fall back into. I’m fooled into thinking that if I just stick to my same path, everything will be fine. But you know what? That’s not how life works. Try as we might to wrap ourselves and everyone we love in a protective bubble, we cannot control the world. Pain happens. Disappointments happen. Rejection happens.
Ironically—or maybe not—according to Dayspring’s one word quiz, my word for 2018 should be brave. I ended up choosing a few words for 2018, but I think they’re all related to bravery.
What does it mean to be brave? Does it take superhuman acts of heroism or daredevil antics? Not necessarily. In many circumstances, just taking the next right step can be incredibly brave. Bravery has many different types, and we are brave. We shouldn’t sell ourselves short.
Back in January, I set a few 2018 goals. One is to put myself “out there” and take a few risks. A way I do that is by writing. Writing is a perfect passion for an introvert. Carving out the time of peace and quiet to perfectly craft what I would like to say is a dream come true.
Then comes publishing. Putting my words out there for everyone to see requires a certain level of bravery, especially to allow open and honest words to be on display. Again the “what-ifs” come into play. What if they think I’m crazy? What if they see I don’t have it all together? What if I’m the only one? Most likely the answers to these questions will be They won’t. It’s okay. You’re not alone.
Most of us wouldn’t consider ourselves phonies. Yet being real can be difficult. In my experience in women’s groups, both online and in real life, we like to project the image that we have it all together. We don’t. The relief is palpable when we find out we aren’t the only ones struggling. I know many great, kind, wonderful, and successful women. Not one of them has it all together. It’s not possible for one person to do it all, be it all, and have it all.
So let’s be brave and reach out. Let’s take that first step toward a goal and take a few risks. Instead of the negative what-ifs, let’s think of some positive ones: What if I’m successful? What if I make a new friend? What if I help someone?
Remember, the Lord has not given us a spirit of fear. When we experience pain, disappointment, or rejection, we are not alone. We have one another, we have the Lord, and we have his Spirit. God will help us be brave in every circumstance.
is a writer and blogger as well as an elementary and middle school teacher. She and her husband live in Georgia with their three children. In addition to teaching and writing, Dana loves to read, watch Food Network and HGTV, follow politics, and paddleboard. She blogs at danaherndon.com.
Photograph © Jordan Donaldson, used with permission
