BOLDNESS

(This particular blog entry is dedicated to my grandmother, Lynette Adam, who inspires me to be a BOLD woman of God.)

I realize that I cannot actually put to words my firm beliefs on being BOLD. This is a feeble attempt compared to what is actually in my heart.

I have always been pretty stubborn, hardheaded, and confident (I definitely get this from my mother!). Besides confidence, these traits are typically perceived as negative, especially for a woman, ESPECIALLY for a Christian woman (whom many believe should be quiet and timid and soft at all times). Recently, however, I have learned to use these personality traits for God’s glory by turning them into boldness.

The best compliment I ever received was that I am dangerous for the Kingdom! This compliment was shared with me after I had opened my (big) mouth in defense for something God had placed in my heart. I did not give in to fear or cower under ‘political’ pressure, rather I, the only female in the room, stood up for myself and for what I believed in. This particular act ended up pointing straight to God and reminding people of His importance in our decision-making.

Boldness requires OPENING YOUR MOUTH. How dare you keep quiet when something is wrong? Wrong against your faith, wrong against someone you love, wrong against humanity… Boldness also requires a STRONG CONFIDENCE in your thoughts and beliefs. Do you KNOW what you believe? This would be a great place to start. Ask questions. Read books. Read the Bible. Gain an unwavering set of standards and beliefs for your life, and become BOLD with them.

If needed, be willing to DEFEND these beliefs. Do NOT allow someone to tell you to not be defensive when it comes to something you know God has put in your heart.

Now, PLEASE hear my heart on this:

Do NOT confuse boldness with pride or a “right” to be snobby, self-righteous or arrogant. NOTHING could be MORE unattractive than these things… ESPECIALLY from a Christian. I have stuck my foot in my mouth NUMEROUS times and completely regretted some words that I have spoken to people. I was totally abusing my ‘boldness’ that God has given me by using it when unnecessary. I am sorry for these events and they have come to be fewer and further between. I’m asking God to help me use this “gift” at the right times and at other times to help me look like Him with compassion and mercy. Boldness does not mean having a hard spirit at all times.

When I die, I want to be remembered for being a BOLD woman of God, that I would open my mouth and use the brain and confidence that God has given me.

(For further encouragement in this area, read the following verses. These come from either New International Version, The Message, or New Living Translation.)


2 Chronicles 19:11
"Be bold and diligent. And God be with you as you do your best."

Psalm 119:41
Let your love, God, shape my life with salvation, exactly as you promised; Then I'll be able to stand up to mockery because I trusted your Word. Don't ever deprive me of truth, not ever— your commandments are what I depend on. Oh, I'll guard with my life what you've revealed to me, guard it now, guard it ever; And I'll stride freely through wide open spaces as I look for your truth and your wisdom; Then I'll tell the world what I find, speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed.

Psalm 138:3
When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.

Proverbs 10:10
People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace.

Proverbs 28:1
The wicked are edgy with guilt, ready to run off even when no one's after them; Honest people are relaxed and confident, bold as lions. (The Message) – (my thoughts: there can still be a relaxed confidence in your boldness – because it should come from God – there should be a balance of boldness compassion and mercy – doesn’t naturally make sense, but it reflects God’s character.)

Matthew 14:27-30
But Jesus was quick to comfort them. "Courage, it's me. Don't be afraid." Peter, suddenly bold, said, "Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come ahead." – and then he jumped. (The Message) – here Peter’s courage and boldness combined to take extreme ACTION in FAITH.

Mark 2:1
After a few days, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and word got around that he was back home. A crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out. He was teaching the Word. They brought a paraplegic to him, carried by four men. When they weren't able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, "Son, I forgive your sins."

Acts 4:29
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.

Acts 4:31
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. (NIV)

Acts 28:31
Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 3:12
Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.

Ephesians 3:11
All this is proceeding along lines planned all along by God and then executed in Christ Jesus. When we trust in him, we're free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go. So don't let my present trouble on your behalf get you down. Be proud!

Philippians 1:20
For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.

Hebrews 4:16
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Hebrews 10:19
And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus.

James 1:5
If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

I John 3:18-24
My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves. And friends, once that's taken care of and we're no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we're bold and free before God! We're able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we're doing what he said, doing what pleases him.

1 John 5:13
My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God's Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he's listening. And if we're confident that he's listening, we know that what we've asked for is as good as ours.