Brave

Even from a distance, I sensed his fear.

I watched his struggle from across the playground. The wall towered above him. The holds barely large enough for a toe hold.

What if he fell? But, what if he didn't? I think of the Erin Hanson poem:

There is freedom waiting for you, On the breezes of the sky and you ask "What if I fall?" Oh but my darling, what if you fly?”

The little guy needed to do this. He needed to reach the top. And he had every requirement for success -- save one: confidence.

Certainly, a climbing wall is a far cry from the apartheid and imprisonment Nelson Mandela overcame. But to a 5-year-old, the fear was just as real. Here's what Mandela says about being brave:

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

What does it take to conquer fear? Dolly Parton gives us a clue:

You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try.

And so, dear Poppy stood close by, speaking encouraging words in soothing tones:

See? You're doing it! That's right. Now put your hand on the next hold.

And when the little guy looked with fear at the ground 4 and 5 feet below, he was reassured:

I'm right here. I've got you. Put your foot over here, and look up for the next hold. You're almost there!

Slowly, haltingly he climbed to the top, where he stood victorious! Arms raised.

And when we returned to the playground the next day, the little guy headed straight for the wall. Why? Because he knew he could climb!

So what wall do you need to climb?

There may be fear in your eyes -- but you need to climb it! In the words of William Jennings Bryan:

The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing you fear and get a record of successful experiences behind you.

Here are 4 principles of bravery I learned that day in the playground:

1. Take hold of what you want.

The holds on the rock wall were small -- but they were sufficient. He took many baby holds -- or as we commonly say, he took many baby steps. But he took them.

2. Stay positive.

He was afraid. But he listened to Poppy's words of encouragement. He let the positive words resonate in his head and drown out negativity. Yes, he could do it!

3. Look up.

Looking down only made him more fearful. He had to keep his eyes on the prize -- and keep climbing toward the top! From my God-centered perspective, there's a deeper principle here. In the words of the Psalmist: Be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord.

4. Remember.

Let your courage in this moment propel you to be brave again in the future. Allow it to re-write your inner narrative. You climbed a wall before. You can do it again. You are brave.

To quote Sara Bareilles in her song, Brave, "Show me how big your brave is."

Scripture: Psalm 31:24