I don’t jump off the high dive.
I don’t ride big roller coasters.
And you’d have to pay me good money to get me on a motorcycle.
I’m not brave.
I didn’t audition for choir in college.
I’ve never lived further than a couple hours away from my hometown.
And one time I thought about starting a business…but didn’t really.
Definitely not brave.
Except . . . what if being brave isn’t about big gestures and reckless acts? What if it’s not skydiving and singing in a ballpark? What if being brave is simply saying yes when you’re called, taking the next step – even when it’s scary?
When I think about it that way, well . . .
I did apply to grad school even when I didn’t know how to pay for it.
I did quit my job without having a new one so I could “follow my dreams.”
I did help plant a new church.
I did go to a blog conference even though I didn’t know anything about it.
I did decide to be a stay-at-home mom even though I didn’t know how.
I did submit a book proposal. Twice.
And I’ve applied for a billion jobs and agreed to marriage counseling {again} and sung karaoke and had that tough conversation and agreed to lead a small group – and so many other big and little steps and yeses.
So maybe I’m a little bit brave after all. I bet you are, too.
My friend Annie has written a book about being brave. It’s available today, and I want to tell you about it. Here’s the blurb:
How often does fear hold us back from the very things we most want to taste, touch, and experience? The call to be brave isn’t just for one person—it’s for everyone. Let’s All Be Brave is more than a book, it’s a battle cry. Annie challenges us to live boldly, she calls us to step into those places that require courage, and she gives us the help to take the next step forward—even when it’s scary.
This non-fiction, essay-driven book opens the door to many different views of courage—nudging, encouraging, and inspiring readers to be brave whenever given the chance.
Let’s All Be Brave has great stories in Annie’s easy-to-read and always-funny style, but she also includes God’s answers to finding courage and challenging questions for the readers. It’s one of my favorite books of this year, and I’m excited to give away a copy to one of YOU today!
Enter to win Let’s All Be Brave by leaving a comment here by telling us one brave thing you’ve done. I’ll choose a winner randomly after the giveaway closes at midnight (CST) on Friday, July 17.
Count me in: I need this book!
One brave thing I’ve done? I am an introvert in a big way. A while back I saw someone I didn’t recognize in our church lobby on a Sunday morning. I took a deep breath and walked over to her, then asked, “Are you new here?” Somehow she’d gotten past the greeters and the welcome center without being noticed, so I’m glad I said something. But that was WAY outside my comfort zone.
As someone who has been the “new one” and who is also an introvert, I recognize this is HUGE. You might have just made a significant difference in this one person’s life and grew yourself in the process. Kuddos! :)
We knew God was calling us to move. So my husband put in a transfer request with his company & we moved sight unseen to a new state. We literally picked our home online with the help of only 7 pictures! Yes, we prayed through it all & by God’s grace we LOVE where we live & we LOVE our home! Ironically, after only being here 7 months my husband has been promoted to his company’s corporate office. We are once again moving to a new state & starting over, but knowing God is leading us makes it all worth it! And btw, the best part is boys ages 13 & 9 have done REMARKABLE with the move & are also excited about moving again, I know that’s God!!
I could really use this book. I need to be brave with raising my children without fear. I want to be brave knowing I could do thus on my own.. I’m a single mom to 5 blessings. All under 10, I woild like to be brave for them. Thank you so mucb for a great gift. God bless uou
Amber, I applaud you and know you are already brave! I was a single mama, too, and you are on the front lines, doing the hard work. Way to go!
I think I’ve actually become pretty brave in my mid-life! BUT, my daughters need this book! I’d love to gift it to them!
Brave things – helped plant a church, went to Romania on a mission trip without my husband (my rock), started a blog when I had no idea if anyone would read what I wrote!
I was brave because I took the mask off. I went to Bible study and told everyone what was really going on in my life.
Brave? In 1994, as our last child left for college, and after living in an abusive marriage for 22 years, my husband said he was “through with me” and I could get a divorce if I wanted to. And I did – only after prayer and feeling that God was “giving me permission” to do so. Though I was scared stiff about how I would provide for myself and pay the bills, I did it.
At the age of 47, I went back to school to get my Bachelor’s Degree. Four months shy of my 50th birthday, I graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Management of Information Systems.
I don’t feel very brave, but I am pretty likely to plunge forward with decisions just trusting God to get us through, I think. Having children is a brave decision! (Especially having children when your husband is still in graduate school with no idea of the immediate future …?)
I think my bravest thing has been going to someone and saying “how can I help you” and then tackling an ever growing job and all the “accessories” that I didn’t know would come with it.
Moved to Nashville 4 years ago!
This book looks awesome. Our bravest thing was taking in our sweet foster baby. Clearly we weren’t brave enough to do it again lol.
Engaging at all on social media takes about all the brave I can muster up. Would love to read her book. Thank you!
I have actually decided to take turns with my hubby letting him cook. In my kitchen, with my utensils, and my news pans. He chooses the meals, the tastes, the spices and I supervise from the breakfast bar .. yeah pretty scary :P
It was really brave for me to let go of my identity that was tied up with my graduate degree. I felt that I HAD to keep doing work directly applicable to it even though I no longer loved it. Releasing myself from that burden has honestly allowed me to soar, even though it was scary to stop identifying with it! :-)
Thank you for this example! :) (If this were Facebook I’d like it.)
Decided to go live in my grandparents house in CT after being born and raised all my life in CA… We don’t actually move for more than a year BUT, it will be a biggie. Away from immediate family and going to extended family. It seems to be God’s will so who knows what lies in store for us. Besides real weather that is. =)
Thank you so much for doing a giveaway on this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One brave thing I have done???? Well I guess the brave thing I am doing this moment is starting a small bible study. I am a teenager and entering Junior year but I feel God is wanting me to start a small bible study with a group of young girls I know. I’m not sure I am going to juggle everything but I’m learning to listen to God and bravely dive into this new path He has made for me. Again thank you for doing this giveaway :)
Moving to Honduras to teach at the American School right out of college. Totally out of character for me but such a big part of who I am today!
We left our church of many years – it was hard because we love the people so much. We are praying for God’s direction and are thankful for His faithfulness.
Well. I’ve bungy jumped. But let’s be honest, parenting takes a whole lot more bravery. Quitting my job is up there because as much as I wanted to, becoming a stay-at-home mom was so out of my comfort zone. This book sounds fabulous.
I’ve been brave by putting myself out there more to meet new and exciting people!
I was brave by going back to school for a three year graduate degree in a completely different field just a few months after college graduation because I felt God was leading me in that direction.
I’d love to win this book! One brave thing I’ve done is go skydiving – I was forced into it. Not really, but my husband was going, and I decided if I went with him it would be a great story to tell, even though it was never something I wanted to do!
One brave thing I did was walk out of a bad relationship when I was not close by to family and friends- I just trusted God to help me
It was a moment of bravery for me to accept a promotion that I didn’t feel qualified for. It’s turned into the best job I’ve ever had, and I’m so grateful.
I was brave and was an advocate for my children when they went through medical difficulties.
I also don’t feel that I am very brave according to the world’s standard, but I still sometimes wonder if I wouldn’t belong in Gryffindor in Harry Potter after all. I think I’m a bit like Neville in terms of courage — especially in the earlier books (but that could mean there’s hope!). I have to pray continuously for courage, even with seemingly simple interactions at work or to speak up at a meeting or volunteer for something at church. But despite that, I make myself do the smallest brave thing over and over — just show up. I show up at Bible study consistently, even though it’s uncomfortable nearly every time. I show up in politics, and somehow made it all the way to the national convention as a delegate. I show up to things I’m invited to, and volunteer at church even though I don’t feel I’m good enough at all. It’s small things, and I wish there were a lot more, but I know God’s not through with me yet. This is a subject that is close to my heart and convicting, and I’m actually interested in reading this book if you said it’s one of your favorites this year. I just recently read a book about bravery and courage being about being vulnerable, so I am trying to be vulnerable. And willing. It took me such a long time to work up the courage to believe that someone I think highly of might think highly of me as well and to admit that, for instance. I think that was an instance of being courageous through vulnerability. I’m sorry, I know you wanted just one example. But this topic gets me thinking. How I want to be brave! But I don’t want the scary situations that help me become brave. :/ Thank God He’s so patient with me. And it’s encouraging to read the other entries and to think I’m not alone.
My bravest moment was responding to a “wink” from this guy on a dating website. I wlnevee thought of myself as being one to do the online dating scene. Now, this month, that guy who “winked” at me and I are celebrating our 4-year wedding anniversary. So glad God prompted me to be brave!
Several years ago I stepped out on faith and left a job that I loved to pursue my dream of starting my private practice. It took a HUGE amount of courage for this change-resistant girl, but I’m so thankful I did it!
Brave moment: at the gym and there were quite a few people there, I still did my lunges. I have to use the big mirror to make sure my form is good or else I’m just going to hurt myself. So I know everyone can see me, in my sweats, trying to focus on making my booty a little less noticeable.