When Life ChangesSample

When You Used to Be Brave Sometimes we have lost our courage and need to find it again; sometimes we need to find a whole new brave. A brave we have never needed before—and never wanted to need. Have you been brave for God in the past? Have you gone all in before. . .but somewhere along the way, you took a step back? Have you pulled a Peter and leaped out of the boat. . .but then as soon as you saw the wind and felt the waves, you clambered back to safety, soaking wet and soaked in shame, because Jesus or no Jesus, what kind of fool tries to walk on water? We all live life and we all have scars. Fear unbound does ugly things. · Unbound fear binds our hearts. · Unbound fear erodes our trust. · Unbound fear darkens our perception of people. · Unbound fear brings out our controlling nature. · Unbound fear distances us from God. Fear casts a long shadow, a dark one. But take a minute to ask yourself, “What would it look like if I went all in again? If I gave Jesus everything again? What would it look like if I were brave again at this stage of my life?” Would you finally have the conversation you’ve been avoiding with your friend, your boss, your spouse, your child? Would you stop worrying about what people think and start sharing your faith at school, at home, at work, in your neighborhood? Would you open up to a trustworthy friend about the sin that’s been dogging you—weighing you down, robbing you of peace and joy—and ask for prayers, for encouragement, for accountability? Would you unlock the door guarding your heart and let people in—in where it’s cobwebbed and messy, but in where it’s honest and real? Let us look to the stories God gives us in Scripture—stories of redemption and great courage even after terrible defeat—and let us remember: If God was powerful enough then, He is powerful enough now. If God was wise enough then, He is wise enough now. If God was kind enough then, He is kind enough now. If God was faithful then, He will remain faithful now. If God helped us to be brave once, He can help us to find brave again. [Illustrations included in this devotional are not visible in this view. Illustrations are only supported in the Bible App for iOS, Android, and at Bible.com]