“We were bold in our God.” 1 Thessalonians 2:2 NKJV
“There are times when nothing substitutes for daring confidence and bold action.”
My thoughts today consider the question, “brash or bold?”
Wisdom is important, but sometimes caution tries to masquerade as wisdom when it’s not. Life should always be lived with wisdom, but cannot successfully be lived with caution all the time. Caution is the inordinate regard for your own safety even on occasions when bold would be better. Do not avoid the risky path every time, especially when there is an obvious need to do otherwise.
Sometimes you must take the road less traveled, as described by American poet, Robert Frost. “Two roads diverged in a wood and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” (The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost, 1874-1963). The path you choose makes all the difference in your life’s journey, and how the story of your life will be told.
There are times when daring action is not optional. You must learn to recognize those occasions. There are times to be bold, times when nothing substitutes for daring action and bold confidence. Our nation was birthed in such times; our freedoms are protected by such selfless sacrifice; the Church and Kingdom expand on bold faith and obedience; and faith is always an expression of bold confidence in God. Read Hebrews 11. Always has been, always will be!
To take the road less traveled, consider your options, weigh the decision with prayer and counsel, and count the cost carefully. Jesus told two stories relevant to my thoughts: the example of a man considering the financial resources required to succeed at his task, and a king going to war comparing and assessing his own forces and those against him. They were both wise and bold, but not brash. Read Luke 14:28-33 NLT.
Don’t confuse brashness with boldness. They may appear similar traits but they are far from being the same. Self-confidence is more brash than bold; real boldness comes best from an inner conviction that you are doing what is right, what is best, what will be most beneficial to the greatest number of people, and what is being done in God’s will and at His direction. “You . . made me bold with strength in my soul.” Psalm 138:3 NKJV. Isn’t that a great description – “bold with strength in my soul”? Only God can place that strength within your soul. “The righteous are bold as a lion.” Proverbs 28:1 NIV.
Paul lived boldly, “Even after we had suffered and were spitefully treated at Philippi, we were bold in our God . . in much conflict.” 1 Thessalonians 2:2 NKJV. Paul was bold for God because His boldness came from God. “For I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that causes me shame, but that I will always be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past, and that my life will always honor Christ, whether I live or I die.” Philippians 1:20 NLT.
Boldness is not displayed when life is easy or when opportunities are minimal. You must be bold when facing opposition, criticism, or risk. Others may not understand your boldness when they do not have the reason for courage that you have. See Ephesians 3:11-12 NKJV. Courage is the result of one’s unshakable confidence in God. “When they saw the boldness of Peter and John . . they realized they had been with Jesus!” Acts 4:13 NKJV. I want to live everyday so others see that I have been with Jesus.
My prayer for you today is that you be unafraid to do God’s will in any situation.