The Acts of a Brave Person: How to Do Things When You’re Scared
When following your dreams or making a change in your life, courage is a critical attribute you have to possess to succeed.
Some think that manifestation is simply closing your eyes while everything is laid out in front of you once you open your eyes again. When you finally decide to follow God’s purpose for your life and take the step out on faith, you are not relying on your strength which is a blessing.
In my courageous experience, I have picked up everything and moved out of my comfortable apartment in Houston. I've quit my 9-5 job. Went to France for a substantial amount of time, twice. I jumped off cliffs, ziplined, and drove on a busy Houston highway the first day I got my license and car.
You can demonstrate courage in many steps in your life, and sometimes you succeed. It can be daunting to think of all the things that can go wrong when being courageous, but the main ingredient in your journey of purpose is having faith.
In this blog post, we will discuss the real moments of courage, and how to overcome fear when moving forward.
Is fear holding you back from making life-changing decisions?
When you are about to make a change in life, are you crippled by fear? In the blog post, Congrats on Failing: How to Overcome Failure, I talk about the behaviors that may hinder a person from making big decisions in their lives for fear of not being good enough or being unable to complete them.
The real truth about fear is that we are not created with a spirit of fear and so when we are tormented with the spirit of fear, it’s important to pray against this and know this is not part of how God created you. If you can rebuke this spirit of fear, you can move forward.
I ask myself the golden question that helps propel me forward with my decision: Is it better for me to stay where I am or better if I take the risk?
Here is a personal example of my process of making a courageous decision.
Quitting a stable 9-5 Job
When I was in my office job, I was in a comfortable place in life. I had a comfortable roof over my head, a car, an hour lunch break, and money to go out and on vacations now and then. As a girl in my early 20s, I lived a cozy life, but I knew God had a bigger purpose for me in my life. I was getting signs everywhere to quit my job. I remember God woke me up in the middle of the night and told me to quit my job.
My first sign of hesitation was the fact that I had bills to pay. Struggling to eat and pay my rent was not something I was looking forward to. I knew that this fear was holding me back from quitting on the spot. It was plenty of a reason to go back to work and forget I ever had the urge to walk away. This was also the first test of my courage. Was I able to listen to what God had laid on my heart to do and trust Him?
My first question was if this life of comfort was better than taking a risk and a leap of faith.
I could always get another job, but taking the chance to do something else with my time was what I wanted to explore.
Giving my two weeks' notice felt surreal. There were many questions from the people around me, asking if I would be okay and if I wanted to come back, I could change my mind. It was reassuring to know that I could always go back, but it wasn't what was meant to happen. Though my heart was pounding and I had many questions, I pushed past all the doubt and went through with leaving my job by reminding myself why I had to make this decision in the first place and holding on to what God had told me to do.
If you find that fear is holding you back, you should not be afraid for if you know to rely on God, then you can be able to go forth in your purpose and step out in courage. Review this verse Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (KJV)
Anytime you feel anxiety or fear creep up when you are following God’s voice, recite this verse and go to God with prayer and petition. Ask Him for clarification and be sure to give Him thanks, then watch how He will answer and give you peace.
Why bravery matters
Bravery matters to more than just you. Part of the reason I keep going is because I inspire my friends and family around me. Though I don't make these courageous acts solely for other people, people become inspired by the actions I have taken.
Using the examples of past brave acts can also help you make decisions in the future. I love to use the example of jumping off a cliff.
When I was in Jamaica, I jumped off of a cliff at Rick's Cafe. I'm a decent swimmer and I have an adventurous spirit, but if you are not used to jumping off high places, taking the plunge off a ledge into a large body of water far beneath you can seem terrifying.
Right before I was about to jump, I prepared my mind. I whispered to myself, "My stomach is going to flop, so just close your eyes and clench your stomach." I had an idea of what I was going to experience from rollercoasters in the past and used this to take the plunge and jump into the water. Sure enough, my stomach did flop as I prepared it to, but it didn't bother me, and seconds later, I was in the water.
I use this example because remembering this moment of bravery has helped me with more courageous acts in life. The more references I have, the more I feel I can do. In some instances, I am the reference for others and in other instances, I find reference in someone else.
Get comfortable with “mistakes”
A lot of hindrance comes from the fear of failure and making mistakes. It's okay if you make a mistake because you are the only person living your life. It may seem like you are doing something that might seem embarrassing and you have made such a big deal about the new change that you don't want to make a mistake by humiliating yourself by not accomplishing it. Believe me, as someone with plenty of experience in trying new things and taking risks, I can say that embarrassment only lasts for a little while. It's better to make a mistake while doing something brave rather than sit and wonder what would have happened if you bothered to try.
Remember, mistakes happen, and if you happen to make a mistake in the middle of your courageous act, be proud that you were brave enough to try.
Benefits of Courage
Courage is a remarkable quality that empowers you to transcend your fears and confront challenges head-on. It acts as a driving force behind personal growth and the pursuit of ambitious goals. With courage, you can break free from the constraints of your comfort zone, embracing uncertainty and change with open arms. This not only fosters resilience in the face of adversity but also nurtures a sense of empowerment and self-confidence.
Courage enables people to stand up for their beliefs and values, even when faced with opposition, creating authenticity and integrity in their actions. Ultimately, courage paves the way for new experiences, innovative thinking, and a life that's rich with meaning and fulfillment.
You can develop courage in everyday life by taking little strides. After you achieve one goal, it's time for you to tackle the next. If you are stuck on making that courageous decision, think about some benefits that may encourage you to go for it. You never know who you could inspire.
Emotional growth
When you experience a breakup or an emotional challenge, you tend to know how to handle a situation better the next time, right? When acting in bravery, after the first few times of taking risks, you begin to balance your emotions in a way where you can function while still having those uneasy feelings.
Where does this courage stem from? How can I encourage someone else to be courageous during the moment you have to do something that feels scary?
A lot of emotional growth has to do with faith and trusting that God will lead you where you need to go. If you are following your purpose and you have full faith in God, then when you are about to do this courageous action, He will guide you.
The first time you take a big risk, you may feel the weight of your emotions pulling you under. The anxiety may seem unbearable. Once you learn how to manage your emotions during bravery, your emotional growth will show you that you can handle uncertainty.
It gets a little easier the more you put your faith in God and those feelings like fear and anxiety start to diminish. You have to trust that as you take these courageous steps, you will find comfort on the other side of this action, even if you feel afraid.
Challenge your negative thoughts
Negative thoughts will arise and you have to prepare yourself for them by combatting them. When you do something courageous, you may experience fear and create scenarios of what people will say about you. You also may not be the only source of negative thinking. Negativity can come from your peers or others who see you doing something courageous. Combat them with affirmations and scriptures that will help you feel less afraid. Here are some scriptures to say when you feel afraid:
Psalm 56:3-4
"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?"
Deuteronomy 31:6
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
The more you challenge these negative thoughts, the more you develop an immunity to them.
Practice Leaving Your Comfort Zone
You were given the power to move mountains and do great things by God. We are coaxed by society that no one is born courageous, but we forget about the power within. Remind yourself that you can be courageous without fear through practice.
You can practice courage in little strides. It may seem silly now to get on that roller coaster you have been afraid of, but after you accomplish it, you will feel the adrenaline that fear is nothing. You can inspire others to be more courageous and give them positive feedback. I have learned many great lessons from courageous people enough to have felt inspired to do things out of my comfort zone. I could do anything in life because I saw a person overcome challenges which made me realize I could do the same. A brave person can inspire others to be brave as well which is a huge reward.
Taking little steps towards courage can start at any level for you. Think of something that you have wanted to try but you feel afraid to do. You may have big aspirations in life like being able to run a 10k or hosting a huge event. You might want to go outside on a lunch date by yourself. All of these actions take courage and bravery. Doing one brave thing a week, a day, or even a month can prepare you for the big brave thing you want to accomplish. Make sure to set little goals that you can realize. Take note of how you feel in moments when you step out confident. These are the thoughts you can reference when you do something brave, no matter the scale of bravery.
Journal Prompts for How to be Brave: The Moments on Bravery
What is the negative emotion I feel as I am about to do this courageous act?
What am I afraid of now that I am about to take action?
What are the steps that led me to this moment?
Is it going to benefit me to make this decision?
Make being brave a habit
Be brave in your life as often as possible. Bravery is a life practice that will teach you to be confident in your ability to take risks. Being brave doesn't mean the absence of fear but pushing past the fear to accomplish something worthwhile. If you are instilling bravery in your life, then you are living a life full of adventure, wonder, and purpose.
Take Away Trail
When I talk about courage, I think about a full life worth talking about. In the moments before taking the big leap or doing something courageous, the thoughts could be erratic. You may begin to experience your mortality and wonder if you are even capable of doing something that makes you so afraid. It's within you for sure, and it takes practice. If you decide that you want to be courageous, then practice in your life. Understand that people are watching who will be inspired by you and no one can tell you that you are a failure unless you believe you are a failure. You can do it even if it takes a few tries. Even if you have to take a break or regroup, you can do it like no one else can.
Join the Trail
Everything starts with YOU. Begin the journey to creating your trail.
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