“The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
Proverbs 28:1 KJV

I was reflecting recently on an area of my life that I had prayed about for many years: the desire to be bold in sharing my faith with others. This has always been important to me because, from a young age, I struggled with severe anxiety and shyness. It wasn’t the usual “I don’t like attention” feeling; it was deeper. One could say I was simply timid.

My parents were never like this, and although I am naturally reserved like my father, I never understood why I always felt scared to speak. It reached a point where it started to affect me negatively. I couldn’t even express my love for Jesus. At times, I thought that my isolation due to sickness might be the cause. While this was partially true, there was more to it. This fear became an open door for the enemy to stifle me, and I had ignorantly allowed it.

After many petitions to the Lord for deliverance and for the courage to be free, I am now walking in boldness. Where I once had no voice, I now have a mouth that glorifies God.

This boldness didn’t come overnight. It began with prayer, reading the Word, trusting in the Holy Spirit, receiving empowerment from Him, taking leaps of faith, and practising discipline.

Through obedience in this area, God has even birthed a ministry where I can help young people build confidence to share Jesus with their world and communities. Imagine if I had never desired to be bold or sought to break free from the cages of shyness. What impact would I currently be making, and what contribution would I have failed to make in building His kingdom?

We are not described in the Word as defeated or timid. God’s people are often associated with victory, power, and boldness, and this is how we should define ourselves.

Now, in context, the main scripture in Proverbs 28:1 is teaching us about two types of people: the wicked and the righteous. While the focus is on this contrast, it still reveals an important truth that a result of righteousness is confidence and boldness. This is why the passage is still applicable here.

This is also supported in 2 Timothy 1:7, which says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (KJV). We have always been called to live boldly.

Before His ascension, Jesus gave us a clear instruction to go out and make disciples. How can we do this without speaking with people, having genuine conversations, and sharing the Good News? Boldness is a necessary part of our relationship with Him.

Boldness is not just for the gospel; it also helps us confront negative patterns in our lives, take leaps of faith at God’s open doors, stand in spaces that propel us towards our God-given destiny, and position ourselves on platforms where our gifts and talents can shine.

If you are lacking in boldness, I want to encourage you to take it to prayer today. Ask God for the courage to step forward, speak up, and walk in the freedom He has prepared for you. For the righteous are bold as a lion!

If these quiet-time reflections are blessing you, please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Don’t forget to share with others, and subscribe so you can stay up to date with future posts. ❤

Ruth xx