He Will Make Us Brave

I hear it echoing in my mind, this line from my new children’s book that I just can’t shake. When the hero of the story discovers that he’s frightened of something, his dad whispers eternal truth to him:

“What makes you brave isn’t WHO you are, but WHOSE you are.”

The words have gripped me ever since I released the book. Because although it’s a lesson for children, it’s also a lesson for us all.

It’s funny how God works, isn’t it? I thought I was writing a story for children, but God was writing a story for every one of us. The message is for ME and for YOU. Because if I’m completely honest … I’m terrified. I’m terrified of the task I feel he’s called me to and the gifting I feel he has granted me. I’m terrified of the work, I’m terrified of the process, I’m terrified of the vulnerability, and I’m terrified of failing.

So I run from it. I ignore the call to do the work, and I do “busy” instead. I busy myself with urgent tasks and menial matters because busy is easy. Busy is comfortable. Busy is familiar.

But busy is not the task to which He has called us. He has called us to something else; something greater; something that will require endurance, courage, bravery, and complete reliance on him. He has called us into a bigger story.

We know it. We feel it in the recesses of our heart. He has called us into something that is so much wider and deeper than our own capacities. He has called us into a story of rescue and redemption of brokenness and beauty. And it’s frightening!

We wonder who we are that we should answer such a call. Aren’t there others who are better suited, better gifted? The smarter ones, the more talented ones, the better connected ones. It is terrifying when God calls us with all of our inadequacies and in spite of our inabilities.

Terrifying … until we grasp the the redemptive truth of WHOSE we are.

Friends … do you know WHOSE you are? Not in an intellectual way, but in a deep, soul-knowledge way that changes you? You are a child of the GOD MOST HIGH. He who SPOKE the world into existence with a word calls you his own. I Am Who I Am says you are HIS. He has redeemed you, he has called you by name, You are HIS!

Knowing this, what do we have to fear? For neither death nor life nor angels nor demons can ever separate us from the love of Christ. His cross is our assurance of that promise. And the empty tomb is the guarantee. Fear has no place within this truth! 

Oh that we would let this knowing whose we are take root in our hearts and make us brave!

Following the crucifixion of Christ, the disciples were terrified. They had scattered, ran, hidden away. They were scared for their lives because the man they had put their hope and faith in had died; they were the antithesis of brave. But then the resurrected Jesus—living, breathing, wrapped by his nail-scarred flesh—shows up in their midst. And suddenly their fear vanishes. One look at the risen Christ, and their fear is gone, replaced by a faith that causes them to share the gospel in the face of great animosity until they eventually lose their lives for its sake.

What made them brave? It wasn’t courage they mustered up on their own. It was the power of the resurrected Christ working within them. Left to their own devices, their bravery was pitiful; but with God, their bravery was powerful.

Because it is He who makes us brave.

What has God called you to do that requires bravery? What does he whisper in the quiet of the darkness that you must proclaim in the light (Matthew 10:27)? What job has he tasked you with? What gifting has he given you? You know what it is. That one burning desire that both energizes and terrifies you.

Friend … IT.IS.TIME. It’s not your work anyway … it’s his. And it is He who will make you brave for the task.

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;”

– Isaiah 43:1-3

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Like what you see here? Then you’ll love my first-ever children’s book, Bruce the Brave. Now available on Amazon! For more content like this, connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! To receive more encouraging posts AND get a free printable, enter your e mail in the box to the sidebar at the right. Then just click “I want to Follow F&C!” Be sure to check your inbox for the confirmation and the link to your free printable. You can also follow F&C on BlogLovin’. 

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