Being Brave

take it at step at a time: don’t look back and don’t look too far forward either

don’t do it alone (no-one can)

don’t expect to recover in less time than it took to get ill (God might snap His fingers, but He also might take you back over the old ground which takes time)

no-one has it sorted: but the battles change – and yours will too

tell people if you’re struggling: don’t wait for them to spot it, (especially if you’re covering up)

if those people can’t help, tell someone else

you are not your struggles

work out a shared code with friends so they can step in (e.g. at stressful events) if you need help

just because it’s hard or you’ve been unable to do something in the past, doesn’t mean you can’t do it now

you’re not weird

you’re not your past. you’ve been created for a purpose and you have a future. This is true, even if you don’t yet know what it is.

the scariness is not a sign that God’s abandoned you. It’s a sign that He’s coaxing you forward to enjoy the freedom He’s won for you.

you are loved at your worst – this isn’t about getting into God’s good books.

you will be loved if you fail – God is not waiting to pounce on your mistakes.

it’s brave to try

 2 Cor 12;9: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.