I was sitting on the balcony of a condominium at the beach with my computer in my lap. In the background I listened to the excited squeals and splashes as children played in the swimming pool below.
One particular little girl caught my attention. She appeared to be about six years old and wore bright yellow water wings wrapped around her arms like blood pressure cuffs. As she stood on the side of the pool nervously flapping her arms, her daddy was poised in waist-deep water with his arms outstretched.
“Come on, honey, you can do it,” he coached. “Go ahead and jump. I’m right here.”
“But I’m scared,” she said, whining and flapping. “You might not catch me.”
“Don’t be afraid. I’m right here.”
“But you might move!”
“I’m not going to move. I’m not going to let anything happen to you,” he assured her.
This bantering went on for at least fifteen minutes. I was amazed at the father’s patience and persistence. But finally, she jumped! Applause went up all around the pool! By the end of the morning, the little girl was swimming like a minnow and making her way across the once seemingly treacherous waters.
Then God began to speak to my heart. Sharon, sometimes you’re that little girl. And suddenly I began to see myself standing on the edge of that pool with my Heavenly Father beckoning me to jump.
Come on, honey, you can do it, He coaxes. Go ahead and jump. I’m right here.
But I’m scared,” I cry. “You might not catch me.
Don’t be afraid. I’m right here.
But You might move!
I’m not going to move. I’m not going to let anything happen to you, He assures me.
Just as God said to Joshua, He says to me and to you: 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)
So here’s what I’ve decided to do. When God calls me to dare greatly—I’m going to jump in with both feet, but never let go of His hand.
I’m going to let go of all that holds me hostage to a “less than” life, move forward in the promises of God, and live bold in the adventure of faith Click & Tweet! .I hope you will too.
Leave a comment and tell me what you need to let go of in order to live bold. For every 100 comments I’ll randomly pick one name and send a FREE copy of Take Hold of the Faith You Long For.
Take Hold of the Faith You Long For is finally here! Let’s learn how to Let Go, Move Forward, and Live Bold in the adventurous faith God intended. Let’s live beyond simply being a nice church girl and live life to the full! Isn’t that what you’ve been longing for all along? If you feel like something is missing in your faith, this book is for you. It also includes a wonderful Bible study in the back for group or individual study. Click here to read a sample chapter, watch a short video, and see special gifts with purchase that will disappear May 5, 2016. You can also order on amazon.com.
Comments 83
I need to let go of the past: hurts, failures, unforgiveness so that I can live bold in my walk with Christ.
Thank you Sharon. I have a situation right now where I need boldness and confidence in my Lord. I have a friend I’m meeting with tomorrow. She is an alcoholic and I have known her a long time. She made herself accountable to me years ago. It has not been easy. I have been ill for quite some time and we have just talked on the phone. I know from our conversation, she is not right. I’ve always suspected she may have some sort of mental illness along with the alcoholism, but it could just be the alcohol alone. God knows. I know I am to say some things she is not going to want to hear. Her marriage is struggling and I truly believe she is the main problem, as I have known her husband longer than I’ve known her. I need boldness and am nervous about saying what I am asking God to give me boldness, knowledge, discernment, direction and in total love to her. I appreciate your God inspired advice. I always enjoy reading your posts. I learn so much and am able to reflect on what you say and God’s Word. Cathey DeRosa
I need to let go of fear. Fear of failure. Of not meeting expectations of others. Fear that I will be labeled as not good enough.
I need to let go of fear
I need to let go of the past, of my fears and my anger. These have dominated my thinking and I habitually think negative thoughts. I’m working to consciously remind myself when these thoughts come that they are from my enemy, not from God.
I need to let go of fear so that i might do the work God has called me to do with boldness.
From the time I was 8 years old until I was 16, I lived through the worst kind of abuse a child could endure. It stripped me of my dignity, made me feel shame, and took my innocence. I couldn’t imagine God loved me. It has taken years of Christian therapy, but I know now that God brought me through it. I can use my story of survival to explain to others that God took away my shame and gave me the power of forgiveness and the ability to share and help others.
I need to let go of the mindset that lm now over 55 plus and I can, t still live a crestive and productive life. I need yo reglect on Caleb og the bible, lm am well able….
Thank you Sharon, the past few months I have held into things that I just needed to let go of, and let God handle them, I finally left 2 issue at Gods feet in prayer and didn’t pick it back up and Yes he took it away. God I want to thank you for all that you do and all that you have yet to do.
I want to have faith like a child.
I need to let go of living up to others expectations of me, hurt feelings and unforgiveness, so that I can live bold in my walk with Christ.
Dear Sharon first of all thank you for this devotional for today. I need first of all to let go of some hurts from years ago with my Mother, I need to completely forgive her even though she has gone to be with our Lord. I need.to stop trying to be so independent and start letting others help me. I have always relied on me until something bad happens then I’m praying for help.
I need to let go of my past and accept the lessons it has taught me. More importantly I have to let go and let God take me, I’m at a breaking point in my marriage and I want to trust in God to let go and know he has me. I’m tired of living out of fear, instead I want to fully trust in his plan for me. I may not agree with how things are but I must TRUST he has better things in store for me.
JTG
I need to let go of the pain, and show my husband that i can really trust him. Prayed to GOD that if it was meant to be , GOD brought my husband home. Now i need to trust my faith, and walk in the BOLDNESS OF MY FAITH.
Living bold in the Lord is a freedom from bondage that releases all fears..There is power in boldness and the Lord!
I need to let go of the need to control my life, past hurts and unforgiveness.
I need to let go of my fear of others thoughts and opinions, so I can be all that God has called me to be.
I need to let go of fear, worry and control and finally grab on to God
Living strong and acting strong are too different things. It’s easy to put on a bold act “face”; and even go the motions, but in the dark recesses of the dark night of the soul, the reality creeps in and says, you KNOW you don’t believe it?? Others may, but your not fooling me- yourself. When faced with adversity for a loved one of fearful medical issues that has to be decided upon by MD’s that can only offer dangerous drugs and intervention of surgery, I have to let go and trust in only the higher power, as the fear is paralyzing.
I can relate to you but then I believe everyone on he face of this earth can as the devil comes to us all with his lies even as he did with Eve and Jesus himself. We just have to keep talking back to him with word as Jesus did regardless of how we feel. God knew how fear would affect us which is why He has given us 365 fear scriptures. One for every day of the year!! Our god reigns. The devil is defeated. Halleluja
Letting Go and Letting God take control !
I need to let go of the fear of not being able to be or do what God has called me to. I need to die to inadequacy, and trust that my Abba has already supplied all that I need. I need to believe that my Abba is someone I can depend on 24/7. Someone I can totally trust with my entire life!
As you said in your GIG devotion today, I need to let go of my need to understand God and just trust Him so I can live Bold!
I need to let go of the voice that says I can’t do it and success is for others & not me
Take Hold of the Faith You Long For! I LOVE IT!
I need to let go of fear of failure, and my past to walk boldly in faith.
I need to let go of worries,fear,doubt, failures, past hurts so I can live boldly in Christ.
I need to let go off my past thinking don’t nobody love me and I can’t do nothing right
I need to learn to forgive because it is holding me back from a bold life with Jesus.
I need to not worry about what others think of me when I testify or want to do something for God.
I need to let go of the pain and all doubt in my marriage and believe God in it.
Thank you so much for writing this blog. Fear has held me captive from so many things-including God’s will for my life. It’s only now, in my 50’s, that I’m beginning to take hold of His freedom for me. I’m looking forward to reading your book! God bless you!
Thank you, I have been struggling in being bold for Jesus. It might be just as small as raising my hands. But I felt the Holy Spirit as I was reading this message.
I can see myself in a lot of the comments above. I need to let go of fear of the unknown and know with all my heart that God is on control. That He has this and He will not fail me. Those words are easy to say, but oh so hard to live out. I need to let go of the feat of talking to my friends about Christ and be bold in telling others about Him. I need to let go of the fear that I am no worthy, that I am a nobody and that I can’t do anything for God’s kingdom. I know this in my head but getting my heart to believe it is another story.
Sharon,
My husband has been in sales for the last 15 years – straight commission. We still have a roof over our head, and food on the table, but we are heading into the end of working years, and are no where near ready for retirement. I need to let go of my doubts that this is all going to work out. I desperately want to believe my husband that everything will be ok, but I just don’t see it, and I’m getting more and more anxious about our situation. Could you please help me?
I am afraid of God. His promises I do not know and His love I have not experienced. My soul wants to have a personal relationship with God, yet what I know has got to be far greater than I believe.
God has called me to make a major change (leave current employment) and while I’m trying to be obedient and know that he will provide, it is still hard to “let go.”
I need to let go of self defeating attitudes and negative self talk.
I want to be more bold for Christ and let go of the fear of failing that holds me back a lot of the time. It want more of his power and boldness!
I need to let go of the past life i lived in n Noe that i walk with Christ i don’t want to live back on the past i need to push in with my two feet cause i know the will b there like he said he will never leave us. All the mistreat hurt angry abuse
With His grace I am learning to let go of it all; it’s all His anyway. My family, my own life and theirs. Control is my issue boy do I know He is the only One who is in control. He has work to do in me and I am humbled He continues to chip away me so He is all. Made by Him and for Him I am blessed to be chosen and called to follow Him. My Jesus reigns !
I need to let go of fear of failure. I need to let go of the doubt holding my heart hostage. I need to let go of I need to let go of the pain from abuse. I need to let go of all of these strongholds.
I need to let go of the hurt of my husband walking out , abandoning me and having an affair and now divorce filing. I need to lef go of the fear of falling and trust God to take care of me and the kids.
I want to let go of hurt, bitterness and unforgiveness, and truly love others as Christ loves me.
Learn to have confidence I’m as valuable as any person. Lose my low- self esteem when I’m around others.
Low self-esteem when with others
Fear keeps me from doing many of the things I would like to do. I need to trust God and do more!
I need to let go of fear of my past decisions; which is hurting and stifling my ability to move on in my career, (which I truly believe God has called me to do); hurts and unforgiveness in my marriage and towards my husband.
Leaning in to God to let go of my need to become a mother. Struggling to cope with the “no” answer as the desire is still strong, and the tears are not abating at all. I believe God must have something in mind for my life where being childless is better, but my heart is still broken.
I need to let go of the fear of failure and be bold enough to try new things.
I need to let go of past failures and shame.
Dear Sharon, I pray everyday that I can leave my stress with God. Every day I take on worries and stress about myself and others. Therefore I suffer from headaches, even migraines. I pray every morning and night that I can place all my stress in God’s hands. Your devotion this morning was very helpful and I am going to raise my hands as I pray each day to my Savior, praying that I can let go and give all to Him. Thank you, Marie Bolton
I need to let go of my fear and worry. To know that God goes before me and has all of my days in His hand.
I’m leaping while holding on to Gods hand for I know His promises are true…Lord help me to trust you.
For most of my marriage my husbands focus has been his mother. She has a needy character. I am afraid if I go back to work he will emotionally leave me. I need to take my faith of muster seed and move my mountain. Cross my river when I get there and accept.
Let go of my fear and anxiety over something happening to my children.
Author
Amen!
I need to let go of my past, fears, worry, anxiety, insecurity, low self esteem and the opinions of others in order to be more bold. I also need God to do some emotional healing in my life and to get the beliefs of my head and heart in alignment. I would definitely love to read Take Hold of the Faith You Long For, as it sounds like it could be really beneficial for helping me deal with these issues and grow in my faith and relationship with God. It also seems like this book would help me learn to live in more freedom and to actually experience the abundant life in Jesus referred to in Scripture. Thank you so much for doing this great giveaway!
Author
You can do it!
You can do it. What beautiful words. I want to grow my faith!
Am letting go of fear, worrying if I will have the right words when I speak with girls at a drug rehabilitation center in Mexico. It will be my first time and am stepping out in faith.
I want to let go of my unrealistic expectations; of the worry and anxiety I have over security in the future.
I need to let go of my past….forgive myself and others. Hang on to God’s hand and remember that I’m His child and am loved.
I am a member of First Baptist Church of Hurst, TX and we would like to explore having you come speak to our women. Please let me know how to get this process going and how to find out pertinent details (fee, dates available, etc.). We would love for the women of our church to become involved with your ministry and using your books for our women’s Bible studies.
Author
I just sent you an email.
Blessings!
I need to let go of the fear of just being myself.
Fear – I have having a very hard time releasing fear…..
Lord,please help me know and trust You in Jesus name ,Amen
I need to let go of all the past memories & wounds of my heart. Also, I need to let go of the loneliness I feel since my husband passed away suddenly. I also need to forgive myself & others. Dear Jesus, please give me peace of mind, body, soul & spirit.
I need to let go of the suffocating feeling that I am failing as a mother and teacher – stop comparing myself to ‘teachers of the year’ and plunge into a deeper relationship with God so that it transforms my mothering and teaching instead of trying to do it on my own.
I need to let go of the fear of what other people will think! Every time I think that’s been conquered, it sneaks back in. I pray 2 Corinthians 10:5 all the time – capturing my thoughts.
I need to let go of fear. Fear of rejection. Fear of failure.
I need to let go of feeling unworthy, not being good enough to do what God may ask be to do.
I let go of condemnation.That has held me for so long that I fail to see the truth in God’s word.I choose to let go of the fear of not being loved and rushing to false love that has often drawn me from God.I choose to hold on to His promise that if we seek Him with all our hearts we will find Him
I need to let go of my fear of financial insecurity
When God calls me forward to answer His calling, I must let go of my personal agendas and follow Him. He knows the best plan for me and has exciting plans for my life. Trust is the key as I see my Abba Father as a person who will never let me down. Choosing His ways lead to a life of joy, contentment and fulfillment.
I need to let go of feeling bad when I didn’t do anything wrong and trying to Always make Everybody happy no matter the cost to me!
I need to let go of all doubt causing fear so I can give God “ALL” of me to use to His glory! So my soul says, “Yes Lord!” even when what He tells me to do seems crazy.
I need to let go of being afraid to speak in front of public. I dont have a problem singing, but when it comes to public speaking. I freeze up and lose focus. I really want to get better at it, but dont know how? Thank you sharon for this lovely message. I’m a big fan of your books. Trully a blessing to my heart. 🙂
Sharon – Thanking God for the gift He has given you and how He has allowed it to impact my life – to Him goes the glory and honor! Right now I am looking out across a stretch of water to the Cascade mountains in Western Washington and seeing His light break through a thick bank of clouds – just like He did with your writing this morning. Would love a copy of the book if God so leads you to send it. Hebrews 13:5-6 AMP
I’m ready and willing!
I have been a Christian since I was nine years old. School, marriage and children had me doing things because I needed to. Now that I am retired with only a husband in the house I have more time to think, read, and worry about what is going to happen to us in our old age. Recently I found some of your writings on Facebook and began to read. I praise God for leading me to them for they have already helped so much. I am not there, have a long way to go but the encouragement your writings give me is like cool water in a desert. Please keep them coming!
I come from a long line of co dependent women (haha) My biggest fear is being bold about Christ to certain non believers. If you know anything about codependency, you will understand that codependents feel “shame” so easily – even though its often not warranted, and many times it keeps us silent about certain subjects that light angry fires. Don’t get me wrong, its not that I am ashamed, nor is it that I haven’t admitted I’m a proud Christian and even pinned my atheist boyfriend down after he gave me permission to talk endlessly about Jesus “just one time” – (Didn’t do any good at the time but I pray for him and others in my life like this for God to eventually open up their eyes and I have no doubt HE WILL at some point). But as far as going out in the public and asking people if they “know Jesus” etc; doing the very thing that used drive me crazy before I knew Christ because that approach drove me away from Christianity for a very long time — I don’t want to be that way as it usually back fires! So I pray everyday to let the love in my heart and the work of my hands (I am a massage therapist) show my clients God’s love, and many times it will open a door – Generally, if a client remarks that I am talented etc. I take that opportunity to respond that “God gives all of us gifts, I can take no credit for this one – it is God working through me”. And then I am always quick to add – like God works through YOU in you doing what you are great at! Sometimes that opens a dialogue, but not always. But that aside, I pray every day for God to give the strength to be bold about my faith, no matter what.