Decide to Be Bold: A 10-Day Brave Coaches JourneySample

Boldness in Facing Opposition

“Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than human beings!’” Acts 5:29

“Truth is so obscure in these times, and falsehood so established, that, unless we love the truth, we cannot know it.” – Blaise Pascal

Boldness is most tested when opposition arises. When Peter and the apostles were commanded by the Sanhedrin to stop preaching in the name of Jesus, their response was unwavering: “We must obey God rather than men.” This was not defiance for the sake of pride—it was loyalty to the higher authority of God. True boldness shines brightest when faith is costly.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer embodied this truth during one of history’s darkest times. As a pastor and theologian in Nazi Germany, he refused to remain silent while Hitler’s regime spread evil. Bonhoeffer helped form the Confessing Church, which stood against Nazi control of Christianity, and he openly condemned the persecution of Jews. His boldness cost him dearly. He was arrested, imprisoned, and eventually executed at Flossenbürg concentration camp in 1945. Yet his writings and witness continue to inspire believers worldwide. Bonhoeffer reminds us that obedience to God is worth more than life itself.

Daniel in Babylon also faced immense opposition, and his story remains one of the clearest pictures of bold faith. Taken from his homeland as a teenager and placed in a pagan empire, Daniel resolved from the very start not to defile himself with compromise (Daniel 1:8). Years later, jealous officials targeted his devotion to God by convincing King Darius to outlaw prayer to anyone except the king. Daniel’s response was immediate and fearless: “Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before” (Daniel 6:10). He didn’t hide. He didn’t compromise. He prayed boldly, even knowing it might cost him his life.

As a result, Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den—a certain death sentence. Yet God honored his faith, shutting the mouths of the lions. At dawn, King Darius found him alive and declared across the empire: “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end” (Daniel 6:26). Daniel’s courage not only preserved his life, it turned the heart of a king and proclaimed God’s glory to a nation.

Opposition is guaranteed for men of faith. Paul reminded us: “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus Himself said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Our boldness is not about avoiding trials but about trusting Christ’s victory in the midst of them.

The Brave Truth: Boldness chooses obedience to God above all else, even when opposition is fierce.

Ask yourself: do I fear man more than God? When opposition comes, will I bow to pressure, or will I stand firm in Christ like Daniel and Bonhoeffer?

Action Step: Stand firm in one area of opposition this week—whether at work, in your home, or in your community—choosing to obey God with courage over the fear of man.

Reflection Questions:

1. Do I fear man’s opinion or God’s authority more in my daily life?
2. Where am I currently facing opposition for my faith, and how can I stand firm like Daniel?
3. How does Bonhoeffer’s or Daniel’s example challenge me to live with greater courage today?