Focus Friday: Let’s Focus on Being Brave

Back in July, I wrote a post about being afraid to choose a paint color for my new home office (Click here to read it). I bet some of you have been wondering if I ever moved forward with that project.

Well, I’m happy to report that I did choose a color, and my good friend Michelle helped me paint last Thursday.

She started doing the trim work along the ceiling, window, and baseboards, while I started rolling in the other areas.

It was kind of fun to see the walls turn from beige to blue.

After a couple of hours, my friend had to leave. We made plans to finish on Saturday. Before she left, I asked her to show me how she was doing the trim work. She demonstrated the technique with her angled brush.

“Do you think I could do that?” I asked hesitantly.

“Sure! Go ahead! I’m sure you can do it!”

“Okay, maybe I’ll give it a try,” I said as she was leaving.

I grabbed the brush and took a deep breath as I carefully applied paint along the window. So far, so good.

Then I sat down on the floor and went along the baseboard. That went well, too (even though I kept a rag close by to remove some drips once in a while).

I climbed the ladder and tried along the ceiling. I did it!

Working steadily, eventually I had the entire room covered. I checked for thin spots that needed a little more paint and ran my roller over them.

I stood back to my admire our work and loved it. I’m sure it’s not perfect, but I did most of it myself and that felt so good.

Like so many things in life, painting this room took bravery. It would have been so much easier to just leave it the color it was and not try something new.

I have to remember this experience when I’m feeling hesitant about other opportunities.

Holding back may feel safer, but it won’t lead to the sense of accomplishment and pride that comes from being brave.

I’m moving on to my next scary goal. I’m going to be brave, jump in, and do it!

“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 31:24 NIV)

Have you been avoiding anything because you’re afraid? How can focusing on God help you to be brave and do it?