Posted July 21, 2016 under Blog

Building B.R.A.V.E. Muscles

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.:

It was 10:45 pm on a Wednesday evening. There was a slight drizzle, as I made my way to the car. It was going to be my first time to drive alone, from SLEX (South Luzon Express way) to my home in Pasig City.

For many of you, maybe Manila driving is a breeze. But not to me! Yet here I was, driving solo, late at night, with my windshield sprinkled with raindrops, praying I end up at the right exits and toll gates.

How about you? What gets your palms sweaty or your heart race a little faster? Is it public speaking, with a thousand eyes staring at you? Is it a new school, a job interview, or launching a new career? Is it starting married life? Or a baby on the way? Maybe it's packing your bags, and leaving for a place far from the comforts of home.

It was past 11 in the evening, and I couldn't believe my eyes. Every toll booth was at a standstill. Trucks of all shapes and sizes--delivery vans, cement mixers, and fuel tank vehicles outnumbered small cars like mine. It was every man for himself.

This was no time to get intimidated. So little by little, I edged my trusty old ford escape, bumper to bumper, trying to stay unfazed by these fire-breathing, horn-blaring, motor rumbling, metal Goliaths towering around me.

"Manila driving" is a bravery muscle I am still learning! Yet in some strange way, I was glad I was learning how to exercise that muscle that night.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."Joshua 1:9

The advice to "Be strong" "Be brave" is a constant refrain in both the New and Old Testament of the Bible. Its an advice constantly repeated, specifically to Gods people and their leaders.

It was said to Joshua:

The LORD gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: "Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you."Deuteronomy 31: 23

It was said to Solomon:

David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished."1 Chronicles 28:20

It was said to the nation:

Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. ?With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles. And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. 2 Chronicles 32:7-9 NKJV

Here's a short acronym I made to remind myself to develop my B.R.A.V.E. muscle:

How to be B.R.A.V.E. (Because Bravery pleases the Lord)

B- Boldness

Boldness is facing challenges with faith, knowing that God is greater than my fears.

Because I am a child of God, He is my Backer. I am not just bold for the sake of being bold. Some people do daredevil stunts for the adrenaline rush. That's not the same thing. True boldness lives life freely and truthfully, for the glory of God.

I am reminded of my friend, C, who is working in Istanbul, despite the bombings. Despite the risk, here's her explanation:

"I am always assured of 2 things before I leave- 1) God's call and 2) God's presence."

In her heart, she knows it is God that brought her there.

R - Resilience

Resilience is hanging on to God before the storm, during a storm, and after a storm. Resilience is still trusting in Jesus, even when your world seems to fall apart.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 says,
"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!"

A -Authority

Bravery comes from a healthy fear of God, not our circumstances. God has the final say. My God is the Ultimate Authority, and every authority will bow down to Him.

Colossians 1: 16 is the verse, our friend C, in Turkey holds on to:

"For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through him and for him."

V - Voice

Listen to the Voice of God, even when Fears whisper Give Up!. Not every thought that comes inside your head is a legitimate thought.

E - Endurance

Allow challenges to build up your faith muscles. You may not get your answer the way you expected, but you can still trust in the faithfulness of God.

James 1:2-4 says,
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you are involved in various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But you must let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing."

Today, my nation is undergoing many challenges. The new government is implementing bold polices to fight crime. I am praying for our leaders and our people, that we all will develop the type of bravery that pleases the Lord and respects His Word:

Bold to do His will.
Resilient.
Acknowledging God's Authority.
Valiantly listening to the Voice of the Lord.
Enduring trials with courage.

So we can confidently say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me.Hebrews 13: 6

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