As I write this, 'No Fear In Your Love' by the epic Jeremy Riddle is playing and I couldn't need that more. Bravery, is a topic which I have been thinking a lot about since making it my new years resolution. Is bravery confidence? Is it going to war?  Is it risking our lives for someone? Or is it capturing that spider in your bathroom? 

 Well, I think there are some things which link all of the above. Aspects of bravery seem to be putting someone else or the long term, best result before your own fears. We've all had moments when we'd rather not do something, like go and ask the neighbors for the parcel your mate ordered or initiate a conversation with someone in a seminar you've never seen before. But the potential of making a new friend is worth the fear you might feel.

 As Christians, we are told that God gives us a spirit 'not of fear but of power, love and self control' 2 Timothy 1:7, therefore, fear is from us being flawed humans not necessarily God's plan for us. It can be difficult to feel brave, especially when you are stepping out of your comfort zone or doing something new. But if you don't step out and test what God is saying to you, then you will never know the true bounty of what blessings He wants to pour into your life. 

 So, I have always been quite confident. From an early age, I loved attention and being in the spotlight. I would be the person that went over and talked to new people on the first day of school or tried different foods or activities even if I wasn't very good at them *coughskateboardingcough* but I always gave something new a go! I was confident when talking to older people, guys I fancied and going to new places on my own. However, I learnt through the past couple of years that though confidence is a big help, its not always the same as being brave. 
The dictionary says brave means 'ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage'. When I was being confident I was focusing on my own abilities and qualities not necessarily ready to face danger or pain, especially not for other people. I feel like there is a huge emphasis on self confidence at the moment and whilst that is extremely useful being brave is much more rewarding. It is an act which puts someone or something else above yourself and your own abilities. I can be confident that I can perform CPR, but could I be brave enough to do it if I needed to? This is the kind of subtlety which I find fascinating in our language and culture! 

 I believe there is a reason that courage is specifically used in the bible. Courage, 'the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.' This combines confidence and bravery as it is a quality you hold within yourself but also allows you to face the hard things that may come. To have courage is to know that you are not alone, that the positive outcome far outweighs any fear or pain you might face. I believe that God is that source of strength, He is the one who will never abandon us. 
'For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"'Hebrews 13:5-6

So go in courage today! Be bold in your faith, with questions or chatting to your friends about what a relationship with God means to you. Above all be brave, for He has created a path for you to tread you just have to take those first steps, He'll be walking right beside you.
Take care
x
We made it! Welcome to a new calendar year! A full 365 days to live life and write essays. So as is customary on here I am doing a new year post to talk about what I've learnt in 2017 and my hopes for 2018.
This last year has been insane!! I feel like I say that after every year but whenever it gets to the 31st December I get a glorious reminder of how much can change in a year. I started 2017 scared but determined, I gave my life to God and I don't think I could fully comprehend what that would mean for my year. I got to be a witness to my friends and family and show through my life how much I had been changed by Him. I finished first year of University (woop!); turned 21; got to travel over the summer to visit friends; had a little retreat of my own in York; met so many amazing people who I learnt so much from; had an incredibly vulnerable and encouraging prophetic word; moved into a new house; got the opportunity to go to a fusion conference and be humbled by the teaching there; and countless other things which have only just started!!

I have been so thankful for the opportunities I have received this year and I have a couple of resolutions or goals going into this new year. I am going to leave the planning up to God as He's changed my direction many times before!

Bravery

I am going to be braver in 2018. I know that I am a brave person inherently and do and say things others would be fearful of but this year I want to use that bravery to be lead into new things with God. I am starting the worship team at church (after being pretty obviously lead there by God) and I wasted so much time being terrified of that purpose instead of thanking Him and fully committing to glorifying Him through it. This year I am going to try and be braver and fully step into the new and challenging things He has planned knowing that I am never alone.

Comparison

I objectively and rationally know that my life is mine and is marked out for me. I can't live other peoples and I wouldn't want to! But sometimes I see my friends graduating, getting married, having yet another child and I compare my journey to theirs. I start to think in terms of 'when I'm 25 I want to be x,y and z' and dwell on the things that I don't have rather than what gifts I do. In 2018, I'm going to focus on my path and understand that there is a reason why I am in university at 21 and not starting a graduate job. I can be glad for my friends whilst knowing that I do not need to hurry this path. There is much gladness and goodness where I am and I don't want to rush to the next thing and miss the things which are happening now.

Travel

Being able to travel over the summer was so freeing and made me able to clear my head and truly reflect. I know that there is a reason I love travelling alone so much and meeting new and interesting people on the way! I want to hold onto this joy and find adventure through travel in 2018 too!

Create 

This is broad as I'm not entirely sure how or what but I have a burning desire to create! Whether in poetry, calligraphy, social media, blogging, song writing or script writing I want to do more. As an outlet for my spirit, but also as a way to understand my own perspective of the world. I really would love to keep learning piano as well and just keep creating even if no-one else wants to see it. 

Listen

This year I want to build people up by listening to them more. I do think I'm good at this but through listening I learn so so much! Friendships can be deepened, hurt become healed and differences overcome through listening. I never claim to know everything and this year I want to listen to teachers and people and just let them speak. Let people who don't always get a word in space and make them feel as valued as they genuinely are. I hope to meet people whom I can listen to and feel full afterwards. I want 2018 to be the year that I spend every moment I can listening to God so that I might be aligned with his plan and purpose for me; that I might fall more in love with Him as I hear his word and spend time in His presence. 

I hope that this new year will bring blessings for us all and I can't wait to see what 2018 will bring.

Take care
x 
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About Me

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" Hi! I'm a 21 year old student, and this blog is here to document my thoughts, feelings and events that happen in my life. I hope you'll enjoy reading them and get some comfort from knowing that you're not alone. So sit back, grab a cup of decaf tea and join me on this journey we call life.

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