"I'm not brave enough, bold enough, or confident enough to step out and risk."
How it sounds in your head: You see women launching businesses, changing careers, speaking up. You feel the fear grip your chest at the thought. You're too risk-averse, too cautious, too aware of what could go wrong. Brave is just not who you are.
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
-- 2 Timothy 1:7Source: Spirit of fear from the enemy, reinforced by trauma and religious teaching that equates caution with wisdom.
You've tried before and failed. You know how humiliation feels. Your nervous system physically responds with anxiety when you consider risk. Past pain has trained you to play it safe, and that feels like wisdom.
Gideon was hiding in a winepress, terrified of enemies, calling himself the least of the least. The angel called him 'mighty warrior' WHILE he was still hiding. God didn't wait for Gideon to become brave—He CALLED him brave and then backed it up with victory over impossible odds.
I REFUSE the lie that I'm too afraid to step out. IT IS WRITTEN that God has NOT given me a spirit of fear, but of POWER, love, and a SOUND MIND—fear is not from my Father, so I reject it. I am a branch in the Vine, and courage flows FROM HIM into me as I abide. IT IS WRITTEN in Joshua 1:9 that God COMMANDS me to be strong and courageous because HE is with me wherever I go—His presence eliminates the risk. I am Abraham's seed, heir to the BARAK that protected liars, deceivers, and murderers—how much MORE does it protect me when I step out in faith? The Father is RUNNING toward me with assignments, not waiting for me to manufacture bravery first.
The Father doesn't wait for you to feel brave before He calls you 'mighty warrior.' Like Gideon hiding in the winepress, He's declaring your identity while you're still scared, then RUNNING toward you with backing for every risk He's called you to take.