About three weeks ago, my family went to a fancier restaurant than we're used to. My brother and I could probably count on our hands the amount of times we've been to somewhere fancy, and, well, it shows.
The menus always seem confusing, we really just want simple things like soda, we're into whatever sporting event is being shown, and we're a little too loud and crazy. My childlike approach to the world doesn't fit in with these types of situations.
Just like I wanted to act more formal at the restaurant, but didn't have the experience - many times we want to act brave and bold for scary or important situations, but our lack of experience holds us back.
Sometimes, we really desire to be brave, even before a big decision comes, a tragedy occurs, the accident happens, a stance needs to be made, or bad news is given. That's not how it works though.
It's hard to accurately practice being brave on a nice, warm, sunny day - where everything is going well. You can prepare and equip yourself, but you can't really train.
The training, the practicing, the actual doing part happens during the event you need bravery. Each time understanding how to depend on God's Spirit of power, love, and self-control.
Unlike peace and joy, bravery is that characteristic we want one moment, but the next, we just want to stay in our hiding spot. It’s more like desiring a forgiving heart, we want to forgive someone and, yet, at another time, we want to just stay hurt. Let this time help us to see the goodness of bravery.
As Ruth declared her loyalty to Naomi, it not only showed her love, but also her bravery. It meant that she would go live with a different people group. She didn’t know if the people would accept her; additionally, she seemingly had no protection besides her older mother-in-law. Yet, she made and kept her declaration. When Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem, Ruth suggested that she’d go find some work to provide for them. Naomi points out, a little later, that the work could be dangerous, but Ruth had done it anyway. Because of Ruth’s bravery, we’re able to see all along that she did have a protector. God kept Ruth safe by directing her to work in a field of a man that’s devoted to Him and watches out for her.
Three tips for great bravery are: First, remember that God is right there with you. This can be done by quoting scriptures, playing praise music, or having conversations with Him. It’s most helpful to do these things right before or during the specific situation that is scaring us. Second, declare the type of spirit we have now that the Holy Spirit lives in us. Something we need to do more is declare to Satan that, through God, we’re not timid or fearful beings – we’re full of power, love, and self-control. Third, focus on the “why” of why we need to be brave. Ruth needed to be brave, because she wanted to be there for and take care of Naomi. Keeping the reason for being brave at the forefront will push us toward bravery and encourage our continued desire for it.
Here’s how not to apply bravery in our lives: Forget past events – Forgetting how your faith in God was fulfilled will hinder you from growing in bravery. Be unprepared – The Bible encourages alertness and being on guard against evil, and this is best done by praying on the armor God has graciously provided you. Try to reject true courage – You must let bravery in, accept it, and embrace it.
God’s Guidance:
Ruth 1:22 (NIV) – “So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.”
Ruth 2:2-3 (NIV) – “And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek.”
Ruth 2:8 (NIV) – “So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me.”
Ruth 2:15-16 (NIV) – “As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, “Let her gather among the sheaves and don’t reprimand her. Even pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don’t rebuke her.””
Ruth 2:22 (NIV) – “Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with the women who work for him, because in someone else’s field you might be harmed.””
Joshua 1:9 (NIV) – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.””
2 Timothy 1:3-7 (NLT) – “Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again. I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NIV) – “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”
1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV) – “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV) – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Psalms 31:24 (ESV) – “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!”
Application:
1. The next time you encounter something scary, immediately begin to quote scriptures or turn on praise music
2. Ask God to help you declare the type of spirit He has given you to the evil around you
3. Start a simple, bullet-point journaling project where you write down times you were scared, what you did, and the outcome
Strength Point:
Through our acts of bravery, God’s power, provision, and protection is revealed to others.
Song of the Week:
Reflection Question:
Do you have the true desire to be brave?
Prayer Prompt:
Hi Jesus! Thank You that I can depend on Your Spirit for boldness and bravery. Nothing could ever intimidate You, for You rule over everything. I’m sorry for allowing feelings of fear and timidness to overpower my head and my heart. I pray that You would prepare and equip me with what I need to be able to choose bravery in times of trouble and testing. Be with me, Lord, as I learn to be brave, for I know from experience that it’s not easy. Additionally, don’t let me lose that desire, that passion, to be brave. Remind me that being brave is another way to represent You, it shares my faith in You – stronger than words ever could. Furthermore, when I’m bold and stand for what’s right, I know I glorify You. Help me to stay committed to my mission by fueling my bravery with Your power, especially in __ where__. Thank You for being my bodyguard against evil, God. You are my source for all that is good! I love You, Lord! In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen.
A Prayer to Pray over Others:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for being able to depend on Your Spirit for boldness and bravery. Nothing could ever intimidate You, for You rule over everything. Help my friend to not allow feelings of fear and timidness to overpower their head and heart. I pray that You would prepare and equip them with what they need to be able to choose bravery in times of trouble and testing. Be with my friend, Lord, as they learn to be brave, for I know from experience that it’s not easy. Additionally, don’t let them lose that desire, that passion, to be brave. Remind my friend that being brave is another way to represent You, it shares their faith in You – stronger than words ever could. Furthermore, when they’re bold and stand for what’s right, they can know they’re glorifying You. Help my friend to stay committed to their mission by fueling their bravery with Your power, especially in situations where they feel alone and powerless. Thank You for guarding us against evil, God. You are our source for all that is good! I love You, Lord! In Your Name, Jesus, I pray, amen.
March is Women’s History Month! Celebrate with us by checking out stories by these amazing women: Nadine Brandes, Sara Ella, Naomi Dawn Moore, Nicole Gusto.
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