The Secret to Being Brave

My joy over this little guy’s life remained, but my confidence evaporated as my husband and I looked at each other across the bed, the weight of responsibility hanging between us.

Now what?

Here we were, this precious week-old life and two seemingly ill-equipped, unprepared adults. 

Questions assailed my mind:

How could we offer all Daniel needed to grow strong and healthy in mind, body, and soul? 

What if we did this parenting thing all wrong? 

How would he survive our lack? 

Were we up for this lifelong commitment? 

And the answers scared me more than the questions:

We couldn’t offer him all he needed. 

We would do things wrong. 

We would lack.

We could never be up for such a huge commitment. 

But through the past 20 years of parenting, where we fell short, God filled in. In our dearth, He provided abundance. When we lacked courage, He was our brave. 

My husband and I slowly learned the ins and outs of parenting.  We overcame our fear and set about to raise this little guy and his three siblings. But it wasn’t without trials and missteps.

By God’s grace alone, those earlier questions were answered in glorious ways:

God provided what we could not.

God placed others in our lives to offer parenting wisdom. 

God’s grace covered our lack.

God carried us when our strength failed. 

Unknowingly Brave

I didn’t know how to be brave when tasked with stewarding such a precious treasure. But God did. And He provided that courage when I most needed it.

There have been many other occasions through the years when I’ve felt overwhelmed and under prepared to handle a task or circumstance. 

But each time God showed that His abundant love and grace more than makes up for my lack, and looking back I find I’ve been brave in the end. 

God's abundant love and grace more than make up for our lack in an area. #trustGod Share on X

In His strength, by His hand, I can be unknowingly brave. You can too. Share on X

“I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:12-13

Reflection: Has there been a circumstance where you’ve been surprised to find yourself brave in the end? Is there now an occasion you need God’s strength to face?

I’m joining Suzie Eller and her Friday linkup party, writing on the topic of living free and not feeling like you have to brave all the time! Click the image below to read all the inspiring posts in the linkup.