Five years ago my then-boyfriend, now-husband and I were dating seriously and also seriously long-distance. I was living in Nashville, TN and he was in Williston, ND (1,503 miles apart from one another). The distance wasn’t super practical for two people in their mid-thirties with hopeful and intentional hearts dating with marriage in mind. The bulk of our adult lives had already been planted, albeit in two different states. Over the course of our dating we prayed separately and together about our potential future with one another, particularly about the slight detail of distance. After praying a Novena of Surrender together, his job suddenly offered him a transfer back to his home state of Washington, and I soon realized that I too would be moving to Washington so that we could finally date while in the same city.

One afternoon I was sharing with a friend my decision to move to Washington. I was a little stunned when she proclaimed, “You’re so brave!” I could have come up with one hundred other ways to describe myself for my decision, but ‘brave’ would not have occurred to me. It didn’t feel brave, it just felt right. The reason it felt right was because it was not without contemplation and discernment. I had been praying long and hard about the future, and while I prayed I realized God was not only changing my heart, but preparing my life for this new adventure. Over time the things that once kept me tethered to the city I had lived in and loved for almost ten years were just no longer for me. One by one, my obligations began to neatly wrap themselves up or were redirected entirely. As I experienced those changes taking place I was able to pull away from a once busy life in a busy city while I continued to pray about my future. As my responsibilities eased up, a new freedom emerged which allowed me to become somewhat of an obedient nomad, so as to wholly follow the Holy Spirit’s promptings.

‘Brave’ had never crossed my mind. I simply felt I was doing the next right thing for my life, regardless of the unknown and in spite of the common look of surprise that would wash over other people’s faces when I told them my plans. It turns out that I was, in fact, doing the next right thing for my life. Furthermore, it was perhaps one of the MOST right things I had ever done in my life.

My boyfriend eventually became my husband (of three years and counting). Two years later we were blessed with our first sweet babe whom we lost in utero and then our beautiful baby girl came along the following year.

I’ve been thinking quite a lot lately about what my friend said to me that day. What she expressed seems to coalesce with a Scripture passage that continues bubbling up in my life right now.

“…for God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Also translated as:

“…for God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7

If, instead of leaning into the so-called bravery the Holy Spirit placed inside of me to make a bold move, I had taken the timid or fearful route, I quite literally would have been denying the future God had planned for me. I would likely not be married to the man God had in mind for me. I would not have my baby girl or our baby in Heaven. Alternatively, fear would have prevented me from my future, or at the very least delayed it until I was willing to cooperate in boldness.

Fear is rotten. Fear is a distractor. Fear is a liar. Fear is a thief. God has not given us a spirit of fear.

I encourage you in boldness, in love, and with a sound mind to choose the path of bravery for your life that coincides with the Holy Spirit’s promptings. Tune into those promptings and drown out all fear. Fear is not of the Lord. Do not journey through your life with a spirit of timidity, passively watching as life passes you by. Instead, in the spirit of power and love and self-control, be an active participant with the Holy Spirit. Be bold. BE BRAVE. Live the life God has designed for you and you alone.