Bravery. Courage.  Do you feel brave?

Bravery might not look like what you expect. It’s not a feeling. It’s an action. And that action sometimes looks messy.

Being brave for me is a battle. It’s a battle that I fight day in and day out. It’s a choice I have to make to continue to press forward into who God says I am, even when condemnation tells me otherwise. It’s a choice to believe God is who says he is,  even when fear tells me otherwise. 

It’s not easy. But I won’t give up.

I know what it’s like to not have hope, to feel shame, fear, and condemnation. I know what it’s like to feel abandoned, unwanted, and hidden.

And I know what it’s like to feel the hope of Jesus. To feel his peace and his love. Bravery is what keeps me pressing forward towards that truth. 

Be strong and take courage. God is with us. God will bring healing to our wounded areas, and give us beauty for our ashes.

I’d just like to remind you—You are amazing. You are a gift. Your identity isn’t what someone has ever said about you. Your identity isn’t how you think you compare with someone else, or how you think you could be better.  You’re made for good things, deeply loved, talented, and valuable. And you deserve love. You are stronger than you think.