I’ve always wanted to be brave. And sometimes I am. But then there are those other times… times when I let fear, doubt and the comparison curse make me feel not-so-brave. And during those times, my feelings of “blah” and not-so-brave need a kick in the booty. Others times I need a friend to remind me I am brave. I just need to choose to “live” brave.
I invited my friend Annie Downs to stop by and be that friend for us {all} today. She’s part of the (in)courage contributor team with me, and her book about being brave just released into the world this week. All kinds of awesomeness is happening because she was brave enough to write this message; a message we all need to hear! Here’s Annie…
My friend Sarah said she never does anything brave.
She’s 37. Married. Three kids. A dog that yips too much. Her husband has a job and they live in a house.
It’s your basic suburban life, with a literal suburban as the family car.
As we sat at Starbucks, catching up while her kids were in Vacation Bible School, she asked about my new book Let’s All Be Brave and proceeded to inform me of her lack of brave.
I laughed. Sarah is one of the bravest friends I know. We’ve been in each other’s lives for years, since college, and I have watched her be brave over and over again.
Her first date with her future-husband. Brave.
Finding out she was pregnant with #2 quicker than expected (ahem). Brave.
When things got bad after her third baby, you that mama-doesn’t-have-it-in-her-to-cook-another-meal kind of bad? She didn’t run away. She cooked dinner that night and the night after. If you ask me, that’s brave.
Sarah walked away from a job she liked to raise her family. Brave.
Now she works part-time to help ends meet. Brave.
Do you see it? Do you see the brave in the every day? Do you see the moments when fear or hurt or worry could whisper so loudly that all movement halted?
Here’s what’s true about courage: being brave isn’t the absence of fear or worry;
being brave is stepping forward even when the fear still whispers.Brave people hear the fears, they just don’t listen to them.
I laughed at Sarah. Yes, right in her face. (We’re good friends; it was appropriate.) I laughed because I know she is brave, just like I know you are brave.
There have been times when you wanted to quit, but you didn’t. There have been moments when you wanted to say no, but you said yes. There have been opportunities to stay when you knew it was right to leave. So you left.
You, my friend, are brave.
It isn’t just the ones who jump out of planes or move over the ocean that get to wear that courageous title.
It’s yours too.
And when you’ll be brave, the people around you will see that brave and they’ll choose it too. In the everyday moments, in the big moments, look for brave, choose it, and know that your people are watching and deciding to live brave because of YOU.
Let’s all be brave and watch as it changes the world.
Annie F. Downs is an author, blogger, and speaker based in Nashville, Tennessee. Flawed but funny, she uses her writing to highlight the everyday goodness of a real and present God. An author of three books- Let’s All Be Brave, Perfectly Unique, and Speak Love, Annie also loves traveling around the country speaking to young women, college students, and adults. Read more at anniefdowns.com and follow her on Twitter @anniefdowns.
ENTER to WIN:
What resonated with your heart as you read Annie’s thoughts about being brave?Enter to win Annie’s new book, Let’s All Be Brave, by clicking “Share Your Thoughts” below today’s post and do just that. Annie is giving away 2 copies!
This giveaway is now over, but I would still love to hear from you!
This sounds like an awesome book! I’m a soon to be single mom w a special needs daughter and a typical 3 yr old soon. There are so many days that I just want run away but I’m still here and do what I need to do. Thanks for sharing so many great books with chances to win them!
‘…being brave is stepping forward even when the fear still whispers.’
This is what resonates with my worn-out heart today…in the middle of a mess that I was invited into…in between the rock and the hard place that accepting the invitation puts my frazzled emotions…thank you for this today…I’ll keep stepping forward no matter how loud fear whispers…or screams…or shouts. Thank you. xo
I am in a very difficult situation with my family. My husband filed for divorce and even wants to leave his job, maybe even the USA. I am a stay-at -home mom, have left my job 20 years ago to be at home with my daughter and son and now have to face an uncertain future. Almost every day I have to make myself aware of God’s unconditional and deep love for me, that he had and has a good and perfect plan for me with my husband or on my own and that me created me with all my weaknesses – they are a part of who I am and He can even use those for his purposes. Yes, I need to be brave to go on and it is possible because He goes with me.
Erika,
Praying for you and your husband in this difficult time of life. Praying for God to draw you both to Himself and to each other. Praying that God will fill you with His peace as you seek His heart.
Prayers,
Donna
Renee Swope’s Ministry Team
I raised 6 kids and always felt like I was just getting by (mostly) or trying to catch up (a lot!) and I have lived in fear much of my life. It has taken me getting older and evaluating my life and where I am at going to see that I was not being the person the Lord created me to be. I was not using my gifts and talents to His glory to the extent that I could. I was not believing His love, grace, & mercy for me. When I began to really believe and operate in that, I began my story of bravery that is being written. I’m still in the beginnings of this new outlook and life, so this book intrigues me. I look forward to reading it.
The thought thats clanging inside my head was, “I wish Jerry could be brave.” Jerry is my wonderful husband of almost 31 years. We were high school sweethearts and I love him tremendously. He allows the voices of others to dictate who he is. I keep pushing him to come out of the box he is so secure in and live. I so want him to know what joy is and free himself enough to enjoy what our loving Father has given us. He believes that all he is capable of is failure inspite of the knowledge that he is incredibly intelligent, loyal and a child of the king. It is very isolating for him and for me. It saddens my heart because I know if he would just be brave enough to step out and live, even a little, he would be amazed and amazing.
How often have I done things afraid? Every day. Some days the bravest thing I’ve done is get out of bed. Some days I’ve faced my biggest critic; myself. I think those moments happen to every one of us.
When I look back I realize I’m braver than I think. I need to remind myself of that!!,
I would like to win this for a good friend. She recently lost the love of her life (30 years of marriage) during a routine heart valve replacement (1% chance of death). She is a mother of 4 girls and works as an OB delivery nurse. She is so inspiring still getting up and going to work every day and caring for her family. But at every turn she misses him as do her girls. They are living a nightmare and it is so hard just getting through the day without him. She puts all her faith in The Lord to get her through each day. I think she could greatly benefit from your book. Thank you.
Would love to read this.
I don’t feel brave.
This post on being brave comes at a good time. The Lord is stretching me out of my comfort zone in my work in children’s ministry. He is asking me to come out from behind the scenes and play a more active role. The only way I’ve been able to do this by taking baby steps and fully trusting that God is taking those steps with me – leading me.
Hi Pam,
I faced the same thing this time last year. Not only was I being asked to work in children’s ministry, I was being asked and I believe led, to be in charge! Holy toledo batman!!! The most I had ever done was teach a class. I have got to tell you that this past year has been filled with sooooo many blessings. We are a small congregation and there are usually only 6-8 kids in our BLAST (believing, learning and sharing together) program every sunday morning . Doesn’t sound too bad…..until I tell you I have 2 2year olds, a 5 year old, an 8 year old, an autistic 10 year old and a precocious 9 year old adorable girl. Yep all the others are boys! I also have a 12 year old boy who has become our right hand.
If God is asking you to do this, He will be faithful and give you what you need. You will be richly rewarded and believe me…you will have a BLAST!
God’s daughters aren’t meant to be dread-filled, reactionary beings… We are meant to be brave. Loving the theme of this book, and the story shared! (Enter the chorus of the song Brave by Sara Bareilles … I just want to see you, I just want to see you… I wanna see you be brave!)
Moms are brave in many daily moments.
What an interesting subject…would love to learn more.
Thanks for this. I don’t consider myself brave but when I look back on my life I see someone who had to be brave to survive.
I’m 60 hours post op…. of my 3rd pelvic support prolapse… Every other breathe & thought in my mind at this point is to try to be brave & keep the faith. That this surly can’t happen again…. but everyday is a new day & I have Hope! Woman out there…. Do kegels everyday; they will save your life!!!!!!
When I look back at my adult, I notice that there were many moments I was brave. Of course I didn’t see it that way. Picking myself up after a mental breakdown and having lost some friends. Taking on a leadership job I didn’t have the confidence in doing and giving my heart to my fiancé after brig burned so many times. I have never seen these things as brave…but I sure do now☺
I need to pretend to be Brave even when I do not feel like it because in reality I am just that and so much more!!!
I am inspired to face my fears. Something I have hid & ran from all my life. I try not to get upset with myself that I let it go this long. Still have a ways to go~and sometimes its with only God by my side.
Wow! After reading this I realize I am brave! Amazing when you realize how much you think about yourself that isn’t true. It’s like having $20 in your secret compartment in your purse you didn’t know- or rather forgot you had. It’s like digging for treasure and finding it and instead of finding diamonds in the earth we find it in ourselves. I need to look at myself with new eyes and new perspective realizing I am more than I think I am! Reminds me of Pooh in Pooh’s Grand Adventure where Christopher Robin tells Pooh, “Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
I need to read this book and be inspired to be braver. I’m in a difficult situation and I need to find my braveness!
My first thought when I read this was that although I have been brave at times in my life, there’s always another area where I need to be brave, so I’d better read this book. It’s not as if I have conquered fear for the rest of my life. There are always new fears that will arise. It is something that will need to be addressed/identified, prayed over, and surrendered to the Lord for all my remaining days. It’s a tactic used against us, but God is greater and as you ponder how he’s helped you deal with it in the past, it will build your faith and encourage you for the future.
Being brave is waking up and facing the things that life throw at u. The book looks great!
I SO desperately wanted to be brave when I was growing up….being painfully shy I just never made friends….I still have those same issues today as an almost 50 year old. It’s just easier to bury myself in being a single mom and caregiver to my parents. I just lost my Dad and will be burying him on Friday and I’m arranging his service that will be on Saturday. My mom has dementia and so she’s unable to help plan so I’m feeling overwhelmed right now.
I appreciate how you explain brave….maybe I’m braver than I think……I can’t wait to read your new book!
In reading Annies’ thoughts, I realized that being brave isn’t what most of us usually think of: Most of us think being brave means bungee jumping or something. But really, being brave is something that can be done in everyday living.
For me, I have a chronic illness. Being brave means fighting. Fighting for a cure, fighting to go to the next appointment, to go through the next horrible-scary test. It takes bravery for me to get up in the morning.
I would love to read your book, Annie (I’ve read your other 2 and enjoyed them 🙂 ) God bless!
I think I need more encouragement to be brave in my faith & life.
As women we are taught to rely on men as husbands and boyfriends, and fathers, but some of us are left by men we trusted and depended on. Learning to be brave and make it on our own without depending on any human male is hard and scary. As a single mom going through school, moves, new jobs and big decisions–relying on God is the only way to be brave.
So many times I think I am being Brave — but realize that I don’t go to my full potential because of FEAR and DOUBT — I have a gift of touching people as they need it…. but I get overwhelmed with Spirit using me and tend to back down a bit. So close to completely surrendering to God’s Will and shining His light for others. Your words are inspiring!
I moved 3,000 miles across the US to start a new life with my 3 kids (leaving behind 10 years of court battles with an abusive ex). I have almost no material things. I have my faith in God, a fabulous church, and my freedom. I need this book.
I was drawn to click on this post about bravery because I am desperately in need of some right now. When I became a Christian five years ago, a deep rift occurred in my family and my mother and siblings parted ways with me. It was during this time that I was also fighting a battle with severe illness that caused weakness and many food restrictions and muscle loss. Abandoned and on my own, with just my husband and I, God began to send people our way and built a new family for us. I find myself now pregnant and overjoyed, but in desperate need of bravery. I need God more than ever now.
I discovered that I am brave even though I didn’t realize it. Sometimes I make myself do things that I’m not comfortable doing, but I do it because I know it’s the right thing to do. I pray and ask God to take over when I’m feeling that way and He always comes through for me. I feel at peace when I know God is control.
I think more women should give themselves the gift of being brave!! So excited to read more!!!
I lost my dad to cancer when he was 39, my brother (22) in a house fire and my sister (24) in a car accident. Some days I feel brave just getting out of bed. I have to trust God with my two kids every moment. Brave is hard.
I am so guilty of thinking I’m not being brave because I do things full of fear instead of with confidence.
I’m not a very brave sort of person. I have a really hard time when faced with adversary or people who are strong willed. But after reading the insert I see that I am probably braver than I think. I love the Lord with all my heart and sole and I am not afraid to show that to all! I feel that this book could help me see my strengthens and worry less about my weaknesses that the devil tries to hold me back with.
Made me cry. In the daily of it all, I don’t feel brave – just clinging to God and waiting for later to figure it out. Then I tell a story to someone and I see it on their face, that look that I wear as I hear THEIR story – that look that says “wow! I can’t believe you did that!” Thanks for reminding me of the wonder we are all given, and to slow down, see and celebrate it!
I love this! We spend so much time putting ourselves down and comparing to those who are out moving mountains that we fail to recognize the bravery in just living day to day. Thank you Annie Downes for pointing this out to us all. Let’s all live BRAVE!
I loved her perspective on being brave in the every day. Life is sometimes mundane, even when we love our life, but it takes courage to keep on keeping on and facing the mundane with joy. That’s being brave and something I needed to hear.
Being brave is letting God carry me when fear paralyzies me
I’m so thankful to read this today. I need the reminder to be brave. I am going to give birth to my first child any day now. And my entire life I have viewed childbirth as this Goliath sized obstacle. Thank you for the reminder that it’s okay to feel fear, but I can’t let the fear paralyze me or cause me to freak out. Instead, I step forward. Take the next step. So much of this post resonates with me. I’ve chosen to stay home, leaving a beloved teaching career. I never really had considered that to be a brave choice, but I now see that it is. Thank you for sharing!
My , love of my life, best friend husband passed away March 11 this year. For me, being brave is not losing my faith in God , waking up each day and healing a little bit more and believing I will one feel joy again. For me bravery is letting my children see me hurt but cry out to God to wipe my tears. Bravery is staying obedient when it’s cost you everything. Bravery is believing Gods love for me and His will for me is greater than the daily pain I’m in. Bravery is clinging to my Fathers truths and not listening to the enemy’s lies that I will never again be happy or that my baby was taken from me to punish me. Bravery is finally understanding that there is a time for everything and there may be weeping in the eveving but, yes- there is joy in the morning.
I sound so much like her: I have the same name, I’m the same age, have one more kid than her and some days I just don’t have the energy to get out of bed, but I do it. I can’t say I ever considered myself “brave” for that. My family is in a bad place and people call me brave all the time, but most days I honestly feel more cowardice than brave.
I’ve completely forgotten what being brave feels like. I’ve lost myself in the midst of a period of fear/worry/anxiety that seems to have taken over my life. I don’t recognize the person I am today, yet I know I miss the old me. I ‘ve been brave in my life many times, I know I have, but how? I’ve forgotten how to live and I miss living so so much. Existing isn’t enough.
My son heard Annie Down speak at a camp this summer. He said she was fantastic. I would love to win a copy of her book for us to read!
This post is so on point. I think we all needed to hear this and I am truly encouraged.
Being brave sometimes just means getting up and dealing with whatever the day brings. My husband -and the rest of us- has been battling cancer for over a year now. It’s been hard – very hard – but we know that God has a purpose for his suffering, and that this too shall pass. We cling to Him for our strength. We have to be BRAVE everyday, to face the treatments, and to face the result of those treatments. It’s tiring, I thought I was tired when my twins were newborns-nothing compares to this. In the fight of our lives He gives us the strength we need to get through, and the faith to cling to His promises for hope for our future. I would love to read this book-sounds like it’s right up my alley!
I would love to win this book!!!
A group of Compassion sponsors choose a “word for the year” at the beginning of every year. This year I prayed that God would help me know what my word should be. I kept hearing “brave” and the words of Nichole Nordeman’s song “Brave” kept playing in my mind. I honestly thought, “I don’t want ‘Brave’ to be my word.” I don’t know what I will have to be brave about, and that alone scared me. Yet, I couldn’t deny that God chose that word for my year. I still don’t know if it’s 1 big thing or a bunch of little things He wants me to be brave about, but I am ready for whatever He sends my way as long as He is with me through it all.
Love how God is speaking into you!
Blessings,
Donna
Renee Swope’s Ministry Team
This has been a year of bravery. Most days it doesn’t feel brave – sometimes we only realize how brave we are when we’re standing at the bottom of the cliff, only then realizing we’ve not only jumped, but landed on our feet.
God doesn’t want us to fear the unexpected moments in our life. He is right there with us going through the storm with us. God is not surprised by them. We can be brave by facing the tough moments of our day. Being brave is not about slaying the giant. It maybe as simple as applying for that job you have always wanted. Signing up for that bible study with the women in your church. Starting that walking program and beginning to eat better. It’s the simple brave choices we make every day that will continue to conform us to the image of Christ.