Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Being Brave


My friend and colleague, Mary Felch, MFT, does wonderful work with art and therapy.  I received her thoughts regarding "standing on the steps of bravery" and wanted to share . . .
To be brave does not mean one doesn't feel fear...it means that you've decided something else is more important than your fear. And so we step forward, knees shaking, voice cracking, tears swelling and we refuse to hide. We move out and own the life we only hoped was possible. Bit by bit we find we are much stronger than we thought we were. Sometimes to our own amazement we find we are still standing through the battle. And there are these undeniable moments where we feel God is with us.
If you are struggling today and the wind and the waves are tossing your fragile heart about, stand firm. Take one brave step forward, and do it today. Remember what you already know to be true. Reach out and find support, and know that just like the mighty redwood trees who are said to be holding hands under ground, whose roots grow into each other under the earth, we can stand taller when we take the hand of a friend. So take that deep breath, and let yourself be brave! 
We all have those moments when we are staring fear in the face.  Living and loving well takes great courage.  I pray you will have the courage to take heart and take a hand.  In doing so you will find that on the other side of fear is freedom.  The world and wonder of God's provision will open up to you as you put feet to faith.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  
 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

To visit Mary Felch, MFT, click here.