Brave Enough

by Katie Harding on May 1, 2023

Early Saturday morning, our daughter competed in the race of her life. She was in Ibiza, Spain for the Duathlon (run, bike, run) World Championships with Team USA. I was totally amazed by her confidence in light of all she had to do — flying around the world with her bike dismantled and packed in a case, renting a home and driving around an unfamiliar country, learning the course, and competing at the world level. In talking with her after the race, she confessed she actually had felt a great deal of fear with all the unknowns, yet she demonstrated incredible courage by her actions. Courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to move forward despite your fears. She was brave enough to get up and go, and it paid off. She cut 11 minutes off her time and set a new PR (personal record).

On the first Easter morning, there were several women who seemed very confident in all they had to do, as well. These women had journeyed with Jesus from Galilee to the cross, despite the animosity of the crowd. They didn’t run when they saw Him being persecuted; in fact, they remained steadfast and focused until the end, even when other followers of His fled. But that morning they were brave enough to take all the spices they had prepared to the tomb, even though they weren’t sure how they were going to roll away the big stone. They were courageous; they didn’t hesitate, despite their fears. They went, and as a result, they were the first ones to hear the news of the risen Lord and were able to share it with others.

When we don’t let our fears of the unknown hold us hostage, we too can be brave enough to move forward without hesitating and do what God is calling us to do. These women at the tomb had their lives changed by Jesus and ended up changing the lives of others by the good news they shared.

What might God be calling you to do? How would you finish this sentence: I can be brave enough to…

Let us know how we can encourage you as you move forward in the face of fear. Remember, changed women change lives.