Wouldn’t it be nice if the people we encountered wore a list of descriptive adjectives somewhere prominent? We could tell, before we ever started a conversation with them if they were a liar, happy, pessimistic, positive, a gossip, etc. Today, let’s consider bravery and more importantly, one way to spot bravery.
One Way to Spot Bravery
According to that verse above, one way to spot bravery is to look for the person who isn’t running their mouth telling everyone’s business, including their own. Really? Can it really be that simple? Yes, it really can be that simple. But as I’ve said before, simple doesn’t always mean easy.
As a side note, that short verse above is one of the reasons I am so passionate about sharing my insights into the time I spend reading the Word of God. I think so often we make the scriptures so intellectually hard to understand. We strive for this “…be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect…” and the whole “perfect” mentality suddenly becomes the enemy of the good. We focus on the perfect and are paralyzed. We have no idea where and how to start being “perfect,” so we don’t start.
We sometimes think as we read our Bible we need to pull out deep theological undertones and then search for “holy” situations and conversations to add our new-found theological brilliance. Really, we just need to spend time in the Word, with the Word reading our Bible and then learn to apply what we’ve read at the grocery store, and in our own home.
Trying to understand and apply the scriptures in our normal, everyday life is where we will spiritually mature. It’s where we will fight the most mundane, yet spiritually draining wars. It’s where we learn bravery.
Sometimes, Bravery is Quiet
Who knew a good place to start down this road to Christian perfection would mean not repeating a rumor? When I think of Christian bravery, I think of martyrs and imprisoned disciples and lions, and being lowered through the wall in a basket. But this verse from the Book of Sirach doesn’t mention any of that. It only mentions of being brave involves keeping a whispered word to myself. Really? How easy is that? Ah, good question, how easy is it? But remember the difference between easy and simple.
How many times have we heard the phrase, “I just have to tell someone or I’m going to explode!” How many times have we said it or felt it ourselves? And you know the accompanying feeling right?
Our mind starts rolodexing everyone we know…“I could tell her, but she might blab it and it would point back to me.” Or, “I can’t tell her because she’ll ask too many questions trying to figure out if the rumor is real or not and who has time for that?” Maybe, “I know! I’ll call her because she will analyze and dissect this juicy morsel of gossip–true or not–around with me. We’ll toss it back and forth like a beach ball…’Oh yeah, well I heard…And then I saw…And my sister’s physical therapist’s hairdresser’s dog groomer said…'”
Wow! Talk about an exploding rumor! Or more like a vomiting rumor! All because we heard a word we just had to share.
But the brave; they let it go. What! How does that make someone brave?
What is Brave
A couple of synonyms for brave are: withstand and bear. A brave person will withstand the temptation to gossip. A brave person will bear the emotional excitement of spilling a secret just to feel “in the know.” A brave person stays in their own lane, puts on their blinders, and keeps their eyes on their own work. They’ve got better things to do, like pay attention to themselves.
Think of some of the bravest people in some of the bravest professions. Secret Service? Military? Priests? Those men and women encounter people, situations, circumstances, and ideas they vow to safeguard by their silence. They will give their lives to keep a confidence. How about Spouses? Parents? Best Friends? That’s bravery. They all choose (hopefully) to resist giving into their short-term emotions for their long-term emotional security and stability and that of another person.
That last sentence is so good! Brave people resist giving into their short-term emotions. My essential oils team is aptly named, “Go Bravely Essentials,” for that very reason. It takes bravery to follow a lesser traveled, yet essential path, be it in the spiritual, physical, or emotional life. It takes bravery to consider treating the underlying cause of discomfort–physically, mentally, or emotionally, rather than bandaging the obvious and painful symptoms. It takes bravery to dream for better health, wellness, and a shift in lifestyle for our family.
As a side note, now until December 31, 2018, I’m offering $20 in credit or a free personal reference guide to anyone who invests in their health and wellness and purchases their Premium Starter Kit. And here’s my recent post on Can Christians Use essential oils?
I know that as I’m sharing about essential oils, people may be rolling their eyes or mocking me behind my back. But what I also know it has already been so worth it when women email or message me with incredible, yet personal results. And as much as I want to share their personal victories, they aren’t all mine to share. I have to let that word die with me, knowing that just because I might feel like I’m going to explode from joy or pride or astonishment, I actually won’t explode. Part of bravery is realizing not everything is about us.
There are other things we choose and go and do bravely. The first that comes to mind is confession–that’s a big one! So big I’ll save it for another post. And there’s also counseling–another big one for another time. But anyone who has ever tackled their mental and emotional health head-on in counseling knows the bravery that it took to learn, we are not our emotions.
In our life, whether we’re dealing with a marriage issue, a parenting issue, a health or business issue, learning to master our emotions is an act of bravery. I’ll admit I often fail at this. Health situations scare me and I seek frequent reassurance. Emotional situations unsettle me and I ask tons of questions trying to figure everything out. I fall into the trap of letting my emotions run me instead of ruling them. But the good thing is, knowing this is half the battle right.
And that’s where this post comes in. Realizing there is Biblical wisdom about bravery, and not just an epic David and Goliath tale, but any everyday, ordinary kind of bravery each one of us is called to. Knowing this is half the battle already.
Lysha @ Magnolia Mom says
Sirach 19:7 is quite thought provoking. I may need to tell my kids this one when they’re mocking each other. 🙂
Jenny says
So many things I think, “Oh I need to tell my children..uh-oh, maybe I need to start with me first!”
Bethany Boring says
Love this definition of bravery…in order to control our emotions, we need to control our thoughts. Great concepts here!
Jenny says
Ah yes, controlling our thoughts, one of my favorite topics to talk about.
Jennifer says
Love this! You always have good take aways with this series!!
Jenny says
I really appreciate that Jennifer, thank you.
Starla J @ Pressing In and Pressing On says
Oh this is a good one. <3
Jenny says
Glad you enjoyed it Starla. It was edifying just reading and writing about it.
Barb V says
I was told by a very wise woman many years ago that before I open my mouth I should think about my purpose in sharing. Was it going to be helpful or hurtful? I think admitting that that something was really gossip not helpful makes me shut my lips more often.
Jenny says
I really like the idea of breaking it down to two simple choices, helpful or hurtful.
Lisa/SyncopatedMama says
I like your relation between bravery and rumors. And I definitely grew up experiencing “church ladies” who would spread gossip by “praying” for others, Michelle.
Jenny says
Did they begin or end with, “Bless her heart..?” Too bad we can find ways around what we know is wrong.
Lisa/SyncopatedMama says
Oh, my! I am wiping the tears from my eyes at that one, Jenny! “Bless her heart,” indeed! Thanks for the chuckle, even though it’s too bad we know this situation so well!
Natalie Busch says
This is my second attempt at commenting 🙁 For whatever reason this format , which I have seen on a few other blogs never let’s me post. Anyway, if it does work this time thank you for being brave and posting about such an import subject.
Jenny says
Hey Natalie–you were sitting min my spam folder. Thanks for your visit and taking the time to leave not one, but two comments!
Laura says
What a great point! I have never thought of not gossiping as being brave!
Jenny says
Me neither until I started pondering that verse. So much to be gleaned from the scriptures.
Tina says
Absolutely love this. So simple. So effective.
Jenny says
Thank you Tina for your visit and kind comment.
Michelle says
Excellent. How about the more subtle, like spilling something in the name of “praying for them”? It may be sincere in part, but you still get a sense of wrongdoing.
Jenny says
Hey Michelle, here in the South, those types of conversations either begin or end with “Bless her heart…”