i choose hard
I only pretend to be brave.
I’ve been known to say that. A lot. But a friend helped me see how untrue that really is.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve desired to follow God courageously. While I’ve never been very self-assured or confident, I’ve often made decisions that fly in the face of all logic. I’ve chosen not to play it safe.
I’ve always known that God’s called me to hard. I knew it when this suburban girl spent two months in rural Africa as a teenager and loved it. I knew it when my passion to return there seemed illogical to everyone else. I don’t like extreme temperatures, bugs, or even the outdoors… and yet I wanted to live in Africa!? It didn’t make sense; it still doesn’t.
My own pastor told me that being a missionary was the worst thing I could do with my life. And yet, at 19, I up and moved to Africa. I’ve been told over and over again that I’m too young, not educated enough, lacking experience. But I’ve shrugged it off and just kept right on going.
I’ve chosen hard over safe.
And if that’s not brave, I don’t know what is.
I don’t say that to pat myself on the back. I say it simply to acknowledge the truth that I’ve exhibited more courage than I ever realized.
I needed to discover that about myself. Because as difficult as this past season has been for me, this next one isn’t going to be any easier. And seeing past courage more clearly helps steel my heart for what lies ahead.
Once again, I choose hard.
And even though I still don’t feel brave, I’m gonna do it afraid.
And trust that He will be faithful to carry me through it.
Just like He always has.
Yes. YES. YES!
Amen and AMEN.
Praying.
I am so glad to hear that you see yourself as courageous. :D That is a milestone worth savoring.
@moweezle says:
I am sooooo glad you wrote this, and admitted what we all already knew! I love this post! I love it, love it, love it!!!!
You are a warrior!
(and you’re not alone. I’ve always chosen hard over safe too…..we’re in this thing together!!!)
that’s one of the things i love most about you, mo.
@knights_lady says:
‘Cause it’s been fear that ties me down to everything / But it’s been love, Your love, that cuts the strings / So long status quo / I think I just let go / You make me want to be brave’
~Nichole Nordeman
@atangie says:
We’ve swallowed the red pill.
Alece, this is a wonderful strategy for getting ready for the next step. Remember your wins.
@cassgirl says:
You are a champion in a ring,
Chin held up!!
Prayin!!
alece, thanks so much for sharing this. i have always struggled with trying to be on everyone’s “good side”. i’ve done this for i don’t know how long. i struggle with confrontation and this post has helped me to see that not everything we do will be out of our strength but out of being mandated by God. only through his help are we able to find the strength we need.
praying for you.
oh i do the same, mark. i am a peacemaker to the core, and can’t stand the thought of there being something “not right” between someone and myself. that’s a huge area i’m learning to trust God differently in.
your prayers mean the world to me. thanks for havin’ my back.
You are stong and courageous and unafraid … the Lord goes with you every step of the way. What a ministry you have and God just continues to enlarge your territory. So amazing!
You go girl!
It is so encouraging to see how the spirit behind your posts is swinging up again. I’ve been praying for you, of course…and just now I think I had a vision of you.
You’re standing with your feet planted on the Rock in the middle of a storm that’s swirling around you. That’s where you’ve been in the past, that’s where you are now, and you know you’ll be there in the future.
But now…your arms are upraised to the heavens, and you have a smile on your face.
And so do I, because we both know that God is so good and so much greater than any storm, and so worthy of serving.
God is so much greater than any storm.
my heart keeps praying, “redeem even this…”
Choosing hard is the best thing
I thank the Lord for placing the circumstances He has in my life because He knew I would choose hard and just like it was for David…sometimes it doesn’t make any type of sense
2 Samuel 5:23-25 (am in 2 Samuel allot) but He trusted and waited on the Lord and in every circumstance, even though it was hard, the Lord proved to be faithful.
Also choosing hard has personally taught me how to run hard after Him
Praying for you as you bind truth and kindness around your neck… have it written on your heart (Prov 3:3) have courage in your steadfast hope in our Lord and be brave to always choose hard
i’ve been camped out in psalm 112. the person who fears the Lord will never be shaken; her heart will remain steadfast and secure.
still working on fearing Him more than i fear anything else…
Thank you… for being courageous… to live for Him… to tell your story for Him… to choose Him rather than choosing easy…
Now I think I’m going to make an apology for taking the easy road of anger with a coworker this morning.
hearing your own personal response to this post… made me feel a huge sense of purpose in why i even blog at all. thank you for sharing what you did.
“And even though I still don’t feel brave, I’m gonna do it afraid.” …that’s some good stuff right there!!! how many people miss out because they stop at just being afraid…they don’t DO IT AFRAID…
@mandythompson says:
Proud of you, you know?
the stream of comments that came in from you today made me smile right when i really needed it. thank you, pandymants. :)
You need to write a book!
I love this. Hard is the road God often leads us down isn’t it? If He’s truly leading it is. :) Praying for you friend. I’m coming to Cbus at the end of June…will you be around? Email me.
gah! i won’t be – i’m leaving columbus tomorrow and won’t be back till july! figures…
I agree about the book. See, that’s two witnesses, it’s a done deal! You’re my hero Alece. (Did you ever know that?)
good choice. kind of like the gym. it’s easy to choose the lighter weights but a person doesn’t get the results they would have had they chosen the heavier weights.
that was a weird sentence, hope my point is made. :)!
I love reading these words from you. This is why I have come to respect you so much.
Being brave is not about feeling, or not feeling, fear. It is about overcoming fear to make what you believe is the right, sometimes very hard, choice.
You are right to trust your faith. It will see you through anything.
“do it afraid” is an exact phrase uttered from my good friends lips not too long ago. It has been my mantra this last year.
@danielleH says:
its so true, friend. you are so brave. you do chose hard not safe. you are amazing. you challenge me. all.the.time.
Good for you, my friend. Good for you.
“By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God’s call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise. Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations—the City designed and built by God.” ~ Hebrews 11:8-10, The Message
Ironic, but I just shared this verse with another friend. And then read your post. Seems to fit just as well here.
Being brave is following God even when He doesn’t disclose the destination.
YOU’RE DOING THAT THIS VERY MOMENT.
Proud of you.
and my destination has definitely not been revealed. thank you for this, michele…
I love you.
i usually choose the “rule-follower” route, not counting 3 very non-rule following years.
Sometimes the rule follower in me makes it easier but sometimes its harder.
Are you glad you chose “hard?” I bet you are. It inspires me to choose hard too Alece.
You are ain inspiration.
oh man! I was so hoping to meet face to face! Maybe later in the summer. :(
@traceepersiko says:
You are still doing great at choosing the hard, SF