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

Boldness in Overcoming Fear

“Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” Psalm 27:3

"Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision.” – Winston Churchill

Fear is a natural human response, but faith transforms fear into boldness. Boldness is not the absence of fear but the choice to trust God in the midst of it. Psalm 27 reminds us that even when surrounded by enemies, our confidence is not in our own strength but in the Lord who defends us.

David Livingstone, the missionary to Africa, lived this kind of bold faith. Traveling through unknown lands, he faced wild animals, deadly diseases like malaria, and resistance from hostile tribes. Many times, fear could have stopped him, yet he pressed forward. His words capture his faith: “I am immortal until my work is accomplished.” Livingstone’s courage in the face of danger paved the way for both the gospel and humanitarian work across Africa. His boldness overcame fear, and his legacy continues to inspire missionaries today.

The story of Esther gives us another powerful picture of boldness over fear. A young Jewish woman who became queen of Persia, Esther faced a terrifying dilemma when a royal decree threatened to annihilate her people. Mordecai urged her to plead with the king, but approaching him without being summoned carried a death sentence—even for the queen. Fear gripped her, yet Mordecai’s words reframed her perspective: “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).

Esther responded with faith. She called for three days of fasting and prayer, and then declared, “I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16). That sentence stands as one of the most courageous declarations in all of Scripture. When she finally entered the king’s court, the outcome could have been death. Instead, God granted her favor, the king extended his golden scepter, and Esther’s boldness set in motion the salvation of her people.

Esther’s story shows us that boldness does not mean we never feel afraid. She felt fear deeply. But she chose faith in the face of fear, and God used her courage to change history. In the same way, fear will always whisper, “You can’t,” but boldness declares, “God can.”

The Brave Truth: Courage is a choice. Boldness means choosing to act on God’s promises instead of being paralyzed by fear.

Ask yourself: What fears are holding me back from bold obedience to God? Boldness doesn’t mean you never feel afraid; it means you choose to obey God despite fear.

Action Step: Write down one fear today and declare God’s truth over it. Replace “I can’t” with “God can.”

Reflection Questions

1. What specific fears are currently holding me back from full obedience to God?
2. How do the examples of David Livingstone and Esther encourage me to step forward despite fear?
3. What promise of God can I hold onto when fear tries to overwhelm me?