By Misty Phillip
God's Brave Women - Misty's Story
What is brave for one person maybe be nothing out of the ordinary for someone else. You see I have often been called brave by others. Because they have looked at decisions I have made or circumstances in my life and said, “I could never do that.”
For me brave has looked like the following:
Like quitting my job in faith to stay home and homeschool my kids when we relied on my income to make ends meet.
Or trusting God with the life of the baby within my womb who was diagnosed as “incompatible with life” and refusing to terminate the pregnancy when everyone recommended I abort.
Or deciding to write a Bible Study after breaking both of my arms, so women would know that God has created them to be Overcomers.
You see, I did not see those choices as being brave. For me they were simple acts of obedience to the Lord. As Emily P. Freeman says, there were “my next right thing.”
Friend, I want to let you in on little secret, and maybe even free you up a bit. What is brave for me may look different from what is brave for you, and that is okay because God has called us all to walk through different paths and be different kinds of brave.
"What is brave for me may look different from what is brave for you, and that is okay because God has called us all to walk through different paths and be different kinds of brave."
Brave Defined
So what does it actually mean to be brave?
According to good ole Merriam Webster the word brave means: “having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty : having or showing courage.”
We are all brave at some level because we have all exhibited strength and courage to face fear, danger or difficulty at one time or another.
Brave in the Bible
Did you know that the word brave is found in 15 different Old Testament passages, and in over half of those passages (9 to be precise) it is coupled with the word warrior? I find that to be interesting because anything we see repeated in the Bible should cause us to take notice.
The word brave is often translated valiant or capable. Girls, if we are in Christ then we are all brave, valiant, courageous warriors in kingdom of God here on earth for a purpose. We have a limited number of days here on earth to serve the Lord, and God has stuff for us to do.
God Has Specific Works for Each of Us
In Ephesians 2:10 ESV it says,
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
We are all God’s created masterpiece, and He has good works prepared for each of us to walk in. When we don’t know what to do, if we ask Him for wisdom, He will guide and direct us.
What Brave Looks Like for Me in This Season
Recently, I had the opportunity to work with an agent on my next book. I was thrilled at the prospect of working with such a talented professional. However, the pressure of trying to transform what I had already written to fit into what they wanted was really stressing me out. I was actually making myself physically ill trying to force something that wasn’t flowing.
I decided what was best for me was to put that project on hold. I began praying and asking God for wisdom and clarity about where my talents and passions aligned, and how I could best serve Him in this season in my life. His answer came instantaneously after praying and took me by surprise. I immediately felt a calling to create a Christian Podcast Conference.
Now, I have never been to a podcast conference, and I am relatively new to podcasting, but I knew without a doubt the Lord was calling me into a new adventure. One that would require me to step out in courage and bold faith and be brave.
Immediately, I began planning Spark Christian Podcast Conference. Everything began to flow. I started writing down the vision, conference name, venue, speakers, tagline and even a hashtag. It all just flowed. Within two weeks, I had a Kickstarter campaign to fund the conference, a full schedule of speakers, a website and a month’s worth of shareable graphics.
Being brave for me meant saying no to a really great opportunity to make room for God’s best YES for me. I might have missed it if I would have continued to force my writing project and hadn’t listened to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
"Being brave for me meant saying no to a really great opportunity to make room for God’s best YES for me."
Being Brave in Your Season
Dear Sister, God wants you to live as a bold beautiful warrior for the Kingdom today. He has specific works for you to walk in, things only you can do. He does not expect you to have all the answers or know how to do all of the things. He simply wants your heart and your obedience to walk bravely into the works He has prepared for you. Knowing that you can do all things through Christ, because He is the one who gives you strength.
I challenge you today to set aside some quiet time and ask the Lord where your talents and gifting align, and how you might use them to accomplish the good works He has already planned for you. Ask Him to align your vision with His, and when He answers you, I double dog dare you to move!
Much Love,
Misty
Make sure to check back next week as another courageous Sister shares her story!
And by the way...
You are Brave! No matter what you are facing, God has made you in His image, which means you are full of His strength and grit. I would love to connect with you more and give you a FREE gift - the BRAVE WOMAN MANIFESTO: Five Things to Tell Yourself When Life Gets Hard. Click HERE to sign up for my monthly newsletter and you’ll receive the FREE Manifesto, as well as recent blog posts, updated resources and personal details delivered only to my lovely email tribe.
AS A BONUS… Subscribers will also be the first to receive news regarding the BRAVE WOMEN BIBLE STUDY coming out next year and a sample chapter! *insert happy dance here* Sign up for more info on the study’s release and availability!
About Misty
Misty Phillip is a wife, mom, podcaster, speaker, and author who is passionate about encouraging women to overcome challenges in life by seeking Jesus, studying the Word and growing in grace. Founder of the Spark Christian Podcast Conference and host of the By His Grace podcast show. Misty inspires women through her speaking and mastermind group. She currently serves as the Houston Connect Leader for Christian Women In Media. Misty is the author of The Struggle is Real: But So is God Bible Study. She would love to connect more with you on her website @MistyPhillip.com as well Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Other Social Media Links:
Spark Christian Podcast Social Media:
By His Grace Podcast Social Media: