It Aint Easy Being Brave


A zoo attendant entered a lion cage carrying only a broom. He casually swept with no concern for the wild animal. He even poked the big cat with his broom. The lion hissed at him and moved to another corner of the enclosure. An onlooker remarked "You certainly are brave." The sweeping man chuckled and said, "I ain't brave, that old cat ain't got no teeth."

In situations where there's not much danger, bravery comes easily. However, most of us face some very scary stuff. Having a sick child or losing your home, your income, your health, or your spouse can be terrifying. In circumstances like these, we can feel alone and vulnerable.

Children who feel that way curl up with a soft blanket or a cuddly teddy bear and feel more secure. But what can adults with big problems cling to? We need more than a piece of cloth or a toy to calm our fears.

When I'm scared, there are two sayings I like to remember: "To be afraid is to believe in evil more than you believe in God," and "Courage is fear that has said its prayers."

Many people think being brave means having no fear, but courage is actually continuing on, in spite of fear. Those who believe that God is ultimately in control can trust Him to do the worrying.

When facing fear, if we don't turn to God, we're missing out. He can provide the courage we need. "Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord."

(Psalm 31:24).

I taught my grandson this Bible verse: "When I am afraid, I will trust in thee." (Psalm 56:3) We sing it at bedtime to calm his fear of closet monsters, but this simple verse applies to my adult-sized fears as well. When anxiety descends like a heavy fog, these nine words can release fear's choke hold.

When the lions in life bare their teeth, I tell God my worries. Then I put my hope in Him. Remembering that He's with me calms my anxious thoughts. Revelation 5:5 says Jesus is the Lion from the tribe of Judah. A lion may be the king of the jungle, but Jesus is the king of kings. (Revelation 19:16) He is strong and mighty. He is never afraid. He is greater than the lions.

Author Marsha Jordan is founder of a nonprofit charity called Hugs and Hope for Sick Children (http://www.hugsandhope.org). More of her articles on depression are in her book, Hugs, Hope, and Peanut Butter, a compilation of essays illustrated with drawings by critically ill children. Filled with hilarious commentary and practical tips for coping with life's hardships, Hugs, Hope, and Peanut Butter brings hope to the hurting and would make a great gift for anyone who could use a pick me up. Best of all, proceeds will benefit the sick kids of The Hugs and Hope Club (http://www.hugsandhope.org). Other similar essays in the book include, "More Than I Can Handle," "Ten Tips For Beating Depression," "Why Doesn't God Answer My Prayer?" and "What Did I Do To Deserve This?"

To order a book or to learn more, visit http://www.hugsandhope.org/book.htm

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Depression Information:

Related Articles

Hurricane Recovery: Steps to Start Putting Your Life Back in Order
It seems unreal, another major storm hitting Florida after experiencing four last year. The beginning of hurricane season, Floridians were just starting to get past the destructive events that caused many of people stress and even, depression.
Mental Health Stigma - What Can We Do About It?
What is Stigma? Stigma is the use of stereotypes and labels when describing someone, and it is often attached to people who suffer from mental health issues. We don't fully understand how the brain works yet, but one thing we DO know is that it is an organ.
Learn To Take Control of Depression
While depression is a growing epidemic in western society, it remains to be one of the most treatable as well. While the medical profession looks first to medication, I believe only the most severe cases require any long-term medical treatment.
St Johns Wort and Depression
The bright yellow flower of the St Johns Wort (hypericum perforatum) with it's ray-like petals, represents the power of the sun that forces away the darkness. This already points to the anti-depressant effects of the St Johns Wort which are highly respected, even in conventional medicine.
Wellbutrin For Depression: When Its More Than Just The Blues
We all have blue days:We're missing someone we've lost, the expected promotion didn't come through, we've exhausted ourselves over the holidays. But when these feelings continue for a long time and begin to interfere in your life, you may have an illness that doctors call major depressive disorder (or depression).
Major Depression and Its Serious Complications
When suffering from clinical depression, people have different ways of confronting it. Some acknowledge it, face it just like any problem, and seek help.
More Than You Can Handle?
There's a dangerous illness afflicting women everywhere across the nation. It's linked to considerable physical and mental suffering.
How to Overcome Anxiety and Take Repossession of Your Life!
Katie came as close as is possible to having it all. Great job, loving family, boyfriend, social life? That was until she developed anxiety?"There were rumours of redundancy in our department.
Insurance Reimbursement for Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression
I attended the Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy Conference at the manufacturers' (Cyberonics) headquarters in Houston, TX in late July. The Conference presenters included senior management, psychiatric thought leaders and study investigators from the investigational clinical trial.
Anxiety and Depression Treatment - 5 Tips for Beating Depression
Everyone has days when they are down, worn out and just notfeeling all that happy.That's OK, you need to have days like this, otherwise how wouldyou know when you are happy.
How Do You Know if You Have Manic-Depression
Nancy was doing very well until about two years ago when Phil, her boyfriend of 9 years, broke-up with her. It was a difficult moment for her especially after she learned that Phil eventually married her cousin.
New Treatment for Chronic Depression
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Chronic Treatment-Resistant Depression About Vagus Nerve Stimulation VNS is not brain surgery, although it is a treatment that affects the function of the brain. Vagus Nerve Stimulation uses specific stimulation of the vagus nerve to send stimulation to specific parts of the brain that are involved in mood.
Disability is NOT a Life Sentence
On September 30th 1998 I was crossing the street in a crosswalk when a young man ran through a red light running me over at 40 mph. He dragged me down the street as he tried to leave the scene of the accident.
Depression Series: Why Don't I Respond to Medications? (Part 1)
Maria has been feeling depressed for at least two and a half years. About three years ago, her husband of 20 years left her for another woman.
Major Symposium About Vagus Nerve Stimulation & Depression at the American Psychiatric Association
A major symposium about vagus nerve stimulation as a treatment for chronic or recurrent depression will be presented at the American Psychiatric Association's Annual Meeting in May. This is the largest gathering of psychiatrists in the world and over 25,000 psychiatrists will be in attendance.
Is it ADHD or is it Depression?
During the assessment process it is of great importance for the physician or clinician to consider other possible causes of inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity in your child, or teen, or yourself. In fact, this is probably the most important element of a good assessment.
Use Alternative Medicine to Ease Depression
Depression is a problem that faces many of us, young or old; baby boomers or generation X. We have a fast lifestyle, we're working between sixty and eighty hours a week and we have long commutes into the office keeping us away from our families.
Adult Men and Women Who Suffer From Chronic Depression
Market surveys on women, men and depression suggest an estimated 4.4 million Americans are believed to suffer from chronic treatment-resistant depression.
I'm Not Depressed; I've Just Been Having A Lousy Conversation With Myself
Not long ago, I attended a mastermind group. During the meeting, one of the women went into a litany about how terrible things had been in the past few weeks and how depressed she felt as a result.
What Is God Thinking?
What can you say to a parent who loses a child to cancer? Whatever words we offer are inadequate to lessen their sorrow. We have no answers to questions like, "Why this child?" or "Why now?" and "What do I do now?"Another question we all ask and cannot answer is, "Where was God and what was He thinking when this horrible thing happened? " For answers, I look to God's written word.