Boldness. Strength. Courage. Three character traits most people would love to possess. When I think of these words, I can’t help but picture biblical figures like Moses, David and Paul. How did these guys do it?! What is the key to becoming a person who stands strong in the midst of opposition and continues to press forward no matter what? Is it just reserved for a specific personality type or for those with a certain background? Can anyone truly be bold, strong and courageous?
Maybe it is actually possible to be in the midst of tough circumstances, feeling fear, timidity and discouragement, yet display courage, strength and boldness. Often times we confuse our identity and God’s grace with what our emotions are telling us. The great news in all of this is that truth always trumps fact. For example: fact – “I feel extremely lonely.” / truth – “God’s Word says He never leaves us or forsakes us, therefore I am not alone.”
The sooner we can learn to depend on God’s truth and His Spirit, the sooner we will realize that we really can be bold, strong and courageous. When we walk in obedience regardless of our feelings, the feelings eventually catch up. If we solely rely on God’s power and not our own, we will be able to step out in faith with much greater ease. When we put the pressure on ourselves to control the outcome, that’s when fear grips us and stops us from walking in our purpose. But if we fully humble ourselves and surrender to the Lord, we will experience strength, boldness and courage in all types of challenging circumstances.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. These are promises from God; blessed opportunities. The key is that we can only receive them by faith. We cannot create and maintain them on our own. We must divinely accept these free gifts from God and use them. He isn’t a slave driver with unrealistic and impossible expectations. He is a powerful, gracious God who offers us all that He has. We just have to grab hold of it.