But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” – Mark 5:36

“Mommy, I did it!” Ella said as she walked in the door. “I went down a really steep hill on Slide Side.” Travis took the girls skiing last weekend while I laid, sick on the couch.

“What?!?” I said, eyes wide and smile broad. “Great job, Honey! Were you scared?” I asked.

Ella thought for a moment. “A little.”

“Do you know what being brave is?” I asked.

“What?”

“Being brave doesn’t mean you don’t feel scared. Being brave means you do it even when you are scared.”

Now, I’m not advocating reckless actions. But fear cannot motivate our action. [Tweet that]

When I began to correspond with Anthony, I was terrified, but what if I gave into my fears (which I have done plenty of other times)? What if I remained paralyzed by thoughts of all that could go wrong, how I could get hurt, how difficult this trial would be?

Living by fear is no way to live. Trust me. I did it far too long. But at some point, we need to live by faith and trust that God is for us, that He loves us, that He wants what’s best for us, that He will never leave us nor forsake us, and that anything He allows to happen will ultimately be used for our good and God’s glory.

Living within this paradigm allow us to live boldly by faith. Remember, courage is not the absence of fear, but instead, courage is living boldly despite our fears.

I want to be a world-changer. I want my life to be the difference for many as I point them to Jesus. And I pray you join me. But the only way you or I will get there is by living boldly through Christ, not allowing fear to hold us back.

Here’s to making an impact in this life for the glory of God!

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. – 1 John 4:18

{Do not fear. Only believe.}

What are you afraid of? What might God do if you moved past your fear to follow Him into your unknown, scary places?

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