While meditating in the shower tonight (because let's face it, when life gets as hectic as mine has been here lately, the shower is one of the places where the prayers go up and the tears flow down), I couldn't help but think about the fearlessness of a dear friend of mine. She's been through everything - most of which has occurred in the last week alone - that a twenty-something year old woman shouldn't have to go through in her short lifetime. But when I look at her, all I see is a brave and smiling face.
The verse at the top of this page - the "theme" for my blog - Proverbs 31:25 says,
"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." (NIV)
While I find this translation fitting for my blog, another translation uses the word fear, and I think it greatly describes my friend:
"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future." (NLT)
When I look at this translation, all I can think is Wow. I can't laugh without fear when times get rough. I am not fearless. I'm not even brave! I'd like to think I am, but wow, look at her. Look at my mentor and sister-figure. Now she is fearless.
Looking at her, seeing her laugh through loss and pain, grieving in her own incredible way, I wish to myself that I could be like that. That I could smile in the tough times. That I could put on a brave face and move on instead of dwelling on the misery at hand. That I could live with the mentality of strong people like her and Anne Frank, who said,
"I don't think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains."
You see, people like my friend and Anne Frank have seen pain unlike any I have yet to see. But their optimism gives me, and so many others, encouragement. They are wise beyond their years, and while I like to think it's a "personality" thing, that I couldn't be that way because I'm too introverted, or I'm too emotional, I realize that it's not.
I realize that their fearlessness doesn't come from their strong-willed, optimistic personalities. No, it comes from the One who takes our fears away and places them on His shoulders. Fearlessness comes from God. He says so Himself, over and over again.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
- Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
If that's not enough of a reminder to be brave right there, open up your Bible. God is constantly telling us to "fear not." He is God, He is good, and when we find our strength in Him, He makes us brave.
I'm not fearless. I have fears about everything from a presentation in class to a cake falling apart while I'm making it to my future plans. But at the end of the day, when I put my fears on my Savior's shoulders and feel my burden get so much lighter, I can finally laugh without fear of the future. I can see past the pain and "why did this have to happen"'s of this world and understand why I have been blessed with yet another day on this earth - to bring glory to God and to advance His kingdom.
