Personal Bravery

There’s something about being brave. In many of the fairy tales we know, there’s usually a hero of some kind, who needs to be brave, and rescue a ‘damsel in distress’, or save the day in some way. We like the idea of someone defying danger on behalf of another, and winning against all odds.

The dictionary defines brave as ‘ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage’. What struck me about this definition is that bravery would mean that you’re ready to face whatever difficulty or pain awaits you. It seems to require you to already have this bravery deposited inside of you, even before you need to tap into it. For example, you may know that a very daunting situation is facing you, and you would need to have courage and be brave going into it. However, many times trouble and suffering come upon one very suddenly. It strikes without warning, and you have to hit the road running in order to cope with the effects and consequences it has on your life. There may be little time to prepare yourself to be brave and to get ready to face things courageously. You may definitely not be ‘READY to face and endure danger or pain’, as our definition stated.

Our key scripture sheds light on this topic of bravery amidst the challenges of life. It says, ‘THE LORD GOD is my Strength, my PERSONAL BRAVERY, and my invincible army’. He’s the one who’s brave on my behalf and He’s my security against anything that comes my way. He is a personal God Who does not allow terror to grip me to such an extent that it renders me bewildered and unable to move on from that place. The Bible says, He enables me to ‘walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!’

How do I get to that place of tapping into God’s arsenal of bravery and strength? By resting in Him. When swimmers are drowning at sea, and life guards swim out to rescue them, they need to stop fighting the water and current, and relax in the capable hands of their rescuers. It requires trust, and it requires yielding to someone who knows how to bring them out safely.

God knows we’re frail human beings who’ll face troubles so immense that we’ll feel as if we’re drowning. That’s why He hasn’t left us without help, and defenceless. He’s our bravery, He’s our strength. He’s the one who enables us to keep walking, and not collapse when we face the steep and rocky places. He sent us a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who’s our Comforter, Counsellor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby (John 14:16 – Amplified). Be brave, dear one! Keep walking. Watch yourself make spiritual progress on your high places of trouble and suffering, because God’s your strength, your personal bravery and your invincible army. Rest in Him, and yield to His capable and perfect grace to carry you safely through.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that You’re the one who fights for me, and in whom I can rest. Thank You that You’re my source of bravery, and that You care deeply about the details of my life and struggles. I choose to yield to Your strength, and trust You for every step I take on the rocky places along my way, in Jesus’ name. Amen.