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Being Brave

posted Dec 22, 2012, 4:37 PM by Staff Administrator   [ updated Jan 1, 2013, 8:42 PM ]
Have you ever been afraid? I mean really afraid—so scared that you couldn't move. It’s like in a scary movie when the person is so scared that she runs the wrong way or opens the wrong door (while we sit screaming at her). Fear can paralyze us or cause us to lose our ability to think clearly.  What are you afraid of? Most of us have experienced some type of fear—fear of death, fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of a person, fear of spandex, etc. How do we deal with fear? How can you and I overcome it? 

First, we must acknowledge our fears. Coming to grips with our fears helps us to get control of them. Guys really struggle with this because it makes us admit our weaknesses but we just have to deal with it. Second, we need to analyze our fears. Ask yourself, “why am I afraid of this?” Is it a real issue or just an irrational feeling? Third, we must accept truth. What is the reality of the situation? What do I know to be true? Finally, we must act against our fears. This does not mean that you should walk a tightrope over the Grand Canyon to overcome a fear of heights. 

It does mean that we should choose to overcome our fears by living and enjoying our lives in spite of our fears.  What is the difference between a coward and a hero? Is it a lack of fear? Is it a colorful suit (ugh, there’s that spandex thing again) and cape? No, the difference is action. Both heroes and cowards deal with fear but they deal with them differently. When faced with fear the coward curls up in the corner and hopes that things will get better.  A hero processes his fear and takes action.  So how does a coward become a hero?
·        By taking action.
·        By embracing truth.
·        By claiming power.
You see, God has not given us the spirit of a coward but of a hero. He has given us love, power and the ability to think clearly (2 Timothy 1:7). 

These things come by embracing God, by being connected to Jesus through the Holy Spirit. When we choose to be close to God, we can see the world (and our fear) as it really is and live boldly and bravely. It’s kind of like a kid who chooses to hold her daddy’s hand while walking down a dark path. She can draw strength and courage from her father while he points out the reality of the situation.  It’s not weakness to connect ourselves to God—it’s our source of power and courage. His love, perfect love, casts our fear (1 John 4:18) while His Spirit gives us boldness and power. 

So there it is. We overcome fear by choosing to live by faith, by believing God, by trusting God and by acting on what God says. You and I will always have to deal with fear (especially the spandex thing) but we have the ability to rise above it, conquer it and live boldly.  What would you do if you weren't afraid?

Be bold. Be brave. 
Lee
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