My word for this year is BRAVE. I have had many opportunities over the last couple years to act in ways of bravery. But I definitely haven’t mastered it. I definitely didn’t always achieve the exact ending to the story that I desired. Some of the reasons for that may have been because of the other people involved but there is a good chance that my need for understanding what bravery is and who to call on, outside of myself, needs to be strengthened.
Psalm 27:14
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.”
Notice anything? Wait for the Lord and the Lord is with Him. Two very distinct statements. I may think I’m being brave but am I waiting on the Lord’s leading for the perfect timing to speak up or act in my bravery? Am I asking Him to be with me?
I recently read the book “Braving the Wilderness” by Brene’ Brown and found it to be an excellent guide . Things to look for as I’m waiting on the Lord and asking for his leading.
When facing the wilderness, this could be a situation or a particular person, we need to watch out for these things.
1. What’s okay in a discussion and what’s not. What do you do when you find yourself in that situation?
2. When cultivating relationships look for reliability, because if you don’t have reliability your simply knee deep in BS.
3. Can you hold the other person/people accountable for less BS and more honesty?
4. Is confidentiality honored
5. Regardless of what we face, do we hold true to our integrity? Choosing what conversations are productive or not.
6. Stay away from judging. Ourselves or others. Being willing to listen and not jumping onto the winner/looser mode.
7. What’s the most generous assumption about the other person/people around us. And what boundaries need to be in place to be more kind and tolerant.
So I choose Brave. God is with me always. Jesus died for my sin and laid a pathway as a guide. And I am given the Holy Spirit to walk with me daily, if I listen He will lead me.
I encourage you to be brave in your walk. I encourage you to draw closer to our Lord and let Him mark out your path. And I pray that we both will wait for Him to give us the words and actions needed to be BRAVE.
Lord, I trust in Your guidance. I pray that I will wait and listen closely for your voice and the touch of your hand leading me. Amen!
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Rhonda Gould Coaching & Consulting 