As we climbed up the stairs, I felt like I was going on an adventure to the past.

I’m sure you’ll be surprised to discover that the place I was going was … my attic. It had been so very many years since I had organized all that was stored there. Honestly, I was looking forward to going through all the boxes filled with memorabilia.

It didn’t take me long to discover a box from my little me years. There, near to the top laid my treasured book: Five Year Diary printed in faded, golden letters.

Did you have a secret diary growing up? If so, I wonder if you would find in yours what I found in mine – a girl struggling to not worry about what others would think of her.

Here’s some of my swirling thoughts in sixth grade:

“… Right now I don’t think much about boys. I may act like it, but I don’t.” —March 23

“John called and asked me to “go” with him. I didn’t want to, but my best friend told him I said ‘yes’.” —March 26

“Today, nothing much happened. I don’t know how my friend got me in this mess with John and I don’t know what to do. Lord, get me out!” —March 27

“I broke up with John. Boy, am I glad I did. But he asked me to go out with him again. Ugh!” —March 28

What a struggle! It doesn’t even matter that my trouble was with a boy. There were many other times I wrote about frustrated feelings with friends and family and confusion on what do to.

Do you know what the problem was with many of my problems?

I was fearful of people. I wasn’t sure of the girl I was or the girl I wanted to be. So I often found myself acting all sorts of ways, so I could be the person I thought my friends and family wanted instead of being true to myself.

Like the situation with the fifth-grade boy.

As I have grown up, and grown to understand more of God’s truth in His word, He has shown me that I don’t have to spin like the Tilt-O-Whirl at the amusement park; trying to be everything to everybody. As I am maturing and becoming the one He created me to be, I don’t have to get on that emotional and exhausting ride. I’m becoming more and more brave every day to be the one He has created me to be.

Ephesians 4:14 tells us: “Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.” (NLT) Paul is telling us we don’t have to believe all the things people say about God; that can make us shaky. We need to believe what God says about Himself in His word. That is where truth can be found.

The same is true when we spin this way that, believing things that are not true about ourselves and then trying to be someone we are not. It makes us shaky inside—insecure. God can give us the strength, bravery and confidence we need to believe who He says we are. As we become mature in our faith and self-worth, we can in turn help others, especially our children, as they are growing from child to adult. God can help them too, so their life doesn’t feel like they’re constantly pushed one way and then the other. He can make us all brave. He can give you the courage to be the true you.

Blessings,

Lynn Cowell

Lynn is sharing a free I Am Brave printable for you to frame for your child to remind them to be brave! Just click here!

Lynn Cowell is a Proverbs 31 speaker and the author of several books, written for young girls, teen girls and women of all ages. Her newest book Brave Beauty: Finding the Fearless You is written for girls ages 8 -12. Make Your Move: Finding Unshakeable Confidence Despite Your Fears and Failures a Bible study for women releases this fall. Her husband and their three children live in North Carolina where they love hiking, rafting and anything combining chocolate and peanut butter.

Statistics reveal that a girl’s confidence peaks at age 9, so now is the time to help her build a confidence in Christ that stands firm for the days to come. “Brave Beauty: Finding the Fearless You”, Lynn Cowell’s newest book, is written especially for girls between the ages 8 – 12. It’s not just a book — it’s a companion guide on a girl’s journey to learning to become courageous, confident and fearless.