Where to Find the Courage to Connect

“For the Holy Spirit, God’s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (TLB)

When I'm full of fear and anxiety, I don’t get close to other people. Instead, I back off. My fear being rejected, manipulated, vulnerable, hurt, or used, and these fears cause me to disconnect from the people around me.

This fear is as old as humanity. When Adam and Eve sinned, God came looking for them. Then Adam said, “I was afraid . . . and I hid myself” (Genesis 3:10 ESV). People have been hiding ever since.

I may not physically hide, but I hide my true self. I don’t let people know what I'm really like. I don’t let them see inside me. Why? Because I believe that if I show people my true self and they don’t like it, I’ll be up a creek without a paddle. Instead, I pretend to be someone I'm not. 

Fear leads to three things that will damage my relationships.

Fear makes me defensive. I'm afraid to reveal myself, but people inevitably spot some of my weaknesses. And when they point out those weaknesses, I defend myself and retaliate.

Fear keeps me distant. I'm afraid to be open and honest—to let people get close to me. Instead, I withdraw and pull back, hide my emotions, and become defensive and distant.

Fear makes me demanding. The more insecure I am, the more I try to control and dominate. For me, it might look like always having to get in the last word in a conversation. Being demanding is always a symptom of fear and insecurity.

Clearly, fear only damages my relationships. But where do I get the courage to take the first step to connect with someone and move toward deeper intimacy?

I get it from God’s Spirit in my life. Paul says in the Living Bible paraphrase, “For the Holy Spirit, God’s gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them” (2 Timothy 1:7).

How do I know I'm filled with God’s Spirit? I'm filled with God’s Spirit when I've become more courageous in my relationships. Rather than fearing people, I'm free to love them and enjoy being with them. 

The Bible says that “God is love” (1 John 4:8 TLB) and that “perfect love drives out all fear” (1 John 4:18 GNT). The more of God I have in my life, the less fear you’re going to have in my life.

The starting point in connecting with anyone is to pause, pray, and say, “God, give me the courage to take the first step.” Am I ready to pray that for one of my relationships today? 

In summary:

Rooted in the wisdom of 2 Timothy 1:7, this passage explores how fear—originating as far back as the Garden of Eden—acts as a barrier to authentic human connection by making us defensive, distant, and demanding. When we feel insecure, we often hide our true selves to avoid rejection, yet this self-protection only stifles intimacy and fuels a desire for control. The solution lies in inviting the Holy Spirit into our lives, as God’s "perfect love drives out all fear," replacing anxiety with the strength and wisdom needed to be vulnerable. Ultimately, by leaning into God's presence, we gain the courage to stop hiding and instead enjoy meaningful, loving relationships.

Bottom line:

Fear is the enemy of intimacy, but it can be defeated by divine love. While insecurity drives us to hide, defend, and control, the Holy Spirit provides the internal security needed to stop pretending. When we trade our self-protection for God's presence, we gain the courage to be vulnerable, allowing us to move toward people rather than away from them.

Next Steps:

Bridge the gap between "hiding" and "loving":

Audit Your "Safety Tactics": Over the next 24 hours, notice when I become defensive, distant, or demanding. Identifying which of these three "fear symptoms" I lean on most is the first step toward stopping the reflex.

Practice "The First Step" Prayer: Before my next social interaction—whether it’s a difficult meeting or a dinner with a spouse—pause and use the prayer suggested in the text: "God, give me the courage to take the first step." * Choose One "Unmasking" Moment: Pick a person I trust and share one small, honest thing about my day or my feelings that I would usually keep hidden. This builds the "courage muscle" the text describes.

A Relatable Ambassador

“We are . . . Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)

Your job as God’s child is to invite others to join the family. In fact, you are an ambassador of Christ. That means that, everywhere you go, you represent Jesus.

The Bible says, “We are . . . Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV).

Now, you may be thinking, “I'm just not qualified to be an ambassador for Christ.” Maybe you think it requires a special personality or a gift for persuading people. Or perhaps you struggle to find the confidence you need to tell people about the hope you have in Jesus.

Here are five truths that will give you confidence to be an ambassador for Jesus:

Everyone longs for the same things you do. You didn't stop being human when you were born again into God’s family. You still have the same drives and desires everyone else does. That means what you’re offering to people—how to live a life of purpose—is what they’re already longing for and looking for.

Everyone has the same questions you have. All those questions you have in your mind—like "Who am I?” and “Does my life have purpose?”—are from God. They’re not small questions, but they are universal. And the answers, of course, are found in God’s Word.

Many people are unsure of their beliefs and often contradict themselves. For example, some people say there are no absolutes in life. Well, that statement alone is an absolute statement. But when you share the hope of Jesus, it brings clarity to people’s lives.

Listen for the key that will open their heart to Jesus. That key is their unmet need or hidden hurt. The only way to God is through Jesus Christ. But people come to Jesus for many reasons—many times through their painful experiences.

People have excuses, but you have the Holy Spirit and the truth. You're not alone when you tell people about God’s plan of salvation through Jesus. While you’re talking, God is with you, but he is also working in the other person's heart through the Holy Spirit.

So many times, people lack confidence in sharing their faith. The good news is, God will always tell you what to say when you need to say it—every time—when you trust him!

In summary:

As a child of God, I am called to serve as Christ’s ambassador, representing Jesus in every area of my life by inviting others into his family. While I may feel unqualified or hesitant, I can find confidence in knowing that everyone shares the same universal longings and questions that only God’s Word can answer. By listening for the "key" of a person's hidden hurts and relying on the Holy Spirit to work alongside me, I don't have to depend on my own persuasiveness; instead, I can trust that God will provide the right words and clarity to reach those who are searching for hope.

Bottom Line:

The bottom line is that my worthiness as an ambassador isn't based on my personality, but on my shared humanity. Because I experience the same needs and questions as everyone else, I am uniquely qualified to connect their "hidden hurts" to the hope of Jesus. I don't have to be a perfect persuader; I just have to be a willing representative, trusting the Holy Spirit to do the heavy lifting of changing hearts.

Next Steps:

Move past my hesitation and trust the Holy Spirit. My most practical next step is to pivot from preparation to observation. Instead of worrying about what to say, try to identify a "key" in a conversation today. This means simply listening to the people around me for an "unmet need or hidden hurt"—the universal questions mentioned in the text. I don't even have to share my faith in that moment; just practice spotting the openings where someone is longing for the purpose I've already found.

Identity Before Impact

“God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. . . . We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.” Romans 8:29 (MSG)

From the very beginning, God’s plan has been to make me like his Son, Jesus. God announced this intention at creation: “Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image and likeness’” (Genesis 1:26 NCV).

In all of creation, only human beings are made in God’s image. It’s a great privilege—and it gives me dignity.

What does it mean to be made in God’s image? It’s one of those concepts that’s too big to fully understand, but here’s some of what it means:

• Like God, I am a spiritual being. My spirit is immortal and will outlast my earthly body.

• I am intellectual. I can think, reason, and solve problems.

• I am relational. I can give and receive real love.

• I have a moral consciousness. I can discern right from wrong, which makes me accountable to God.

But there’s a problem: The image of God in me is incomplete and has been damaged and distorted by sin. So God sent Jesus on a mission to restore the full image that myself—and everyone else ever born—have lost. 

What does the full “image and likeness” of God look like? It looks like Jesus Christ!

The Message paraphrase says: “God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. . . . We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him” (Romans 8:29).

The Bible says Jesus is “the exact likeness of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT), “the visible image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15 NLT), and “the exact representation of his being” (Hebrews 1:3 NIV). Jesus is God!

People often use the phrase “like father, like son” to refer to family resemblance. When people see my likeness in my kids, it pleases me. In the same way, God wants his children to bear his image and likeness. The Bible says I was “created to be like God—truly righteous and holy” (Ephesians 4:24 NLT).

Live like an image bearer today so that when people look at me, they’ll think of how much I'm like my heavenly Father!

In summary:

From the beginning, God’s purpose has been to shape those who love Him into the likeness of His Son, Jesus—the true and complete image of God. Humans alone are created in God’s image, giving us spiritual depth, intellect, relational capacity, and moral awareness, yet that image has been distorted by sin. Through Jesus, God works to restore what was damaged, forming our lives according to Christ’s character, who perfectly reflects the Father. Spiritual growth, then, is the ongoing process of becoming more like Jesus—living in righteousness and holiness—so that as God’s children, we visibly reflect our heavenly Father to the world.

Bottom line:

I was created to reflect God—and His ultimate goal is to shape my life to look like Jesus.

Next Steps:

Based on who I am—and my calling to lead, align, and equip others—my next step is to shift from asking “What should I accomplish next?” to “How is Christ being formed in me right now?”

If God’s primary goal is Christlikeness, then my leadership, coaching, and 2026 vision must flow from that formation.

Practically:

1. Choose One Christlike Trait to Intentionally Develop, Not ten. One: 

Humility, Courage, Patience, Integrity, Compassion, Obedience

Make it your 60–90 day formation focus.

2. Audit Your Leadership Through the Lens of Image-Bearing

Ask weekly: Did my responses reflect Jesus? Did I lead from identity or from ego? Did I model what I’m equipping others to become?

3. Align my 2026 Goals With Formation, Not Just Expansion. Impact without Christlike character weakens influence. Character alignment strengthens it.

My calling is not just to help people succeed. It’s to help them become who they were created to be. And the most powerful way to do that is to visibly live as an image-bearer first. Formation precedes multiplication. Identity precedes impact.

You Need God’s Presence, Not an Explanation

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)

When tragedy strikes, when I hit the skids, when my life falls apart, when everything goes wrong, the typical reaction is to look for an explanation.

But sadly, explanations never, ever comfort. Even if I were given an explanation for my pain, it wouldn’t take the pain away. It wouldn’t shorten or lessen my grief. It wouldn’t make me less likely to choose resentment.

So don’t waste time in trying to find out the “why.” Why? First, My brain isn't big enough to understand all that happens in the world. It’s like an ant trying to understand the internet. I'm just not going to know why a lot of things in my life happen until I get to heaven. It’s not going to make sense until I'm standing before God. Then I will see clearly.

And until then? What I need when I'm going through a tough time is not an explanation. What I need is God’s presence.

One of the reasons I can always be thankful even in my darkest days is the promise of Romans 8:28: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (NIV).

No matter how broken life feels, if I give the pieces to God, he will bring good from them. He loves to turn crucifixions into resurrections and then bless the whole world by it.

Whatever pain I’ve been holding onto and trying to understand, I need to surrender it to God today. Ask him for a renewed sense of his presence. Let him hold me together until everything is redeemed one day in heaven. Ask him to take my pain and use it to bless someone, as I trust him to use it for good.

In summary:

Romans 8:28 reminds me that even when life falls apart and I long for explanations, what I truly need is not answers but God’s presence. I may never fully understand why painful or tragic events happen, and explanations would not remove the grief anyway. Instead of chasing the “why,” I’m invited to trust that God is bigger than my understanding and is actively working all things— even the broken pieces— for good in the lives of those who love Him and are called to His purpose. When I surrender my pain to Him, He can redeem it, bringing restoration out of devastation and using my suffering to bless others, all while holding me steady until the full picture is revealed in eternity.

Bottom line:

I may not get an explanation for my pain—but I can trust that God is present in it and will redeem it for good

Next Steps:

1. Personally: Practice Present Trust

Instead of trying to solve or analyze every difficulty, intentionally practice surrender.

Identify one current burden you’ve been trying to “figure out.”

Release the need for explanation.

Ask daily: “How can I trust God here instead of control outcomes?”

Trust becomes leadership credibility when it’s lived, not just taught.

2. Formationally: Reframe Pain as Preparation

Journal or reflect on:

What is this season forming in my character?

How might this experience equip me to serve others more effectively?

Pain that is processed becomes wisdom.

Wisdom shared becomes impact.

3. Missionally: Integrate Redemption into Your Coaching

You are called to equip others. This passage gives you a framework:

Help people stop obsessing over “why.”

Guide them toward purpose in the process.

Teach them how to transform setbacks into alignment moments.

Your 2026 focus on Alignment and Equipping is strengthened here:

Alignment = trusting God’s purpose even without full clarity.

Equipping = helping others reinterpret hardship through a redemptive lens.

The Next Wisest Step

Choose one current challenge in your life and intentionally model redemptive trust in it. Then share the lesson—not from theory, but from experience.

That’s how influence deepens.

Aligned From the Inside Out

“Take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.” Ephesians 4:22-24 (MSG)

Many religions and philosophies promote the old lie that people are divine or can become gods. I will never become God or even a god.

That prideful lie is Satan’s oldest temptation. Satan wanted Adam and Eve to follow his advice and promised them: “You will be like God . . .” (Genesis 3:5 NIV).

This desire to be a god shows up every time I try to control my circumstances, future, or people around me. But I'm a creature; I will never be the Creator. God doesn’t want me to become a god; he wants me to become godly, taking on his values, attitudes, and character.

The Message paraphrase says I am meant to “take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you” (Ephesians 4:22-24).

God’s purpose for my life isn’t to make me comfortable. He wants me to grow up spiritually and become like Christ.

Becoming like Christ does not mean losing my personality or becoming a mindless clone. God created my uniqueness, so he doesn’t want to destroy it. Christlikeness is all about transforming my character, not my personality.

When I forget that transforming my character is one of God’s purposes for my life, it’s easy to become frustrated by my circumstances. I wonder, “Why is this happening to me? Why am I having such a difficult time?” One reason is that this world is broken. God never promised that life would be easy—but difficulty enables me to grow. Remember, earth is not heaven.

In John 10:10, Jesus promises: “I have come that they may have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (NKJV). Many Christians misinterpret this promise of abundant life to mean perfect health, a comfortable lifestyle, constant happiness, full realization of dreams, and instant relief from problems through faith and prayer.

In a word, they expect the Christian life to be easy. They expect heaven on earth.

But God is not my genie or my servant. If I fall for the idea that life is supposed to be easy, I will become severely disillusioned and live in denial of reality.

The truth is, life is not about me! I exist for God’s purposes, not vice versa. Why would God provide heaven on earth when he’s planned the real thing for me in eternity?

God gives me my time on earth to build and strengthen my character—so Ill be ready for an eternity in heaven.

In summary:

Ephesians 4:22–24 teaches that God calls me to embrace a completely new way of living—one that is transformed from the inside out as His character is formed in me. Rather than believing the lie that I can be my own god or control everything around me, I’m invited to become godly by reflecting God’s values, attitudes, and heart. This transformation isn’t about losing my personality but about reshaping my character to become more like Christ. Life on earth isn’t meant to be easy or centered on my comfort; it’s a training ground where challenges grow and mature me spiritually. Ultimately, my purpose isn’t to build heaven here, but to allow God to prepare my character for eternity with Him.

Bottom Line:

Life isn’t about becoming my own god or chasing comfort—it’s about surrendering to God’s transforming work so my character becomes more like Christ.

Next Step:

Shift my primary goal from expanding impact to deepening character alignment. Before I scale influence, refine identity. Before I equip others, allow God to further shape me.

Based on this passage, that means intentionally asking:

Where am I still trying to control outcomes instead of surrendering them?

Where am I prioritizing comfort or momentum over character formation?

What area of my leadership needs deeper inner renewal—not just better strategy?

Practically, my next step could be:

Choose one character trait (patience, humility, courage, consistency, gentleness, integrity) and make it your intentional growth focus for the next 60–90 days.

Build reflection into your leadership rhythm—weekly review: “Did my conduct reflect Christ’s character this week?”

Integrate character formation into your coaching frameworks—move from performance coaching to transformation coaching.

Your 2026 success will not be defined by how many people I reach. It will be defined by how clearly Christ’s character is reproduced in me—and then through me.

Alignment first.

Equipping second.

Influence naturally follows.

When You Obey Jesus, You Become More like Him

“If you keep on obeying what I have said, you truly are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 (CEV)

If I want to be Jesus’ disciple, I have to do what he tells me to. Always.

Jesus taught, “If you keep on obeying what I have said, you truly are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32 CEV).

In that verse, Jesus highlights a few important things about spiritual growth, or discipleship.

First, discipleship is an ongoing process. I need to “keep on obeying.” It’s going to take the rest of my life for me to grow up spiritually. I don’t listen to a sermon or take a class and suddenly reach maturity. It’s a gradual, incremental, lifelong process.

Second, one of the ways spiritual growth is measured is by obedience. Jesus said, “If you keep on obeying . . . you truly are my disciples.” Spiritual growth isn’t based on how much I know. It’s based on how much I practice—how much I obey. 

A lot of people know the Bible but don’t live it. In fact, sometimes those who have the most Bible knowledge are the most cranky, cantankerous, judgmental Christians. As the Bible says, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1 CSB). Knowledge without love leads to arrogance.

The truth is that I only believe the part of the Bible that I practice—that I do every day.

Third, spiritual growth is based on God’s Word. Jesus told his followers to obey what he told them—because it’s the truth of God’s Word that will feed my soul.

And, fourth, spiritual growth sets me free. As Jesus said, “The truth will set you free.”

The more I grow spiritually, the freer I'm going to be. I'm going to be set free from the expectations of others, from past memories that bother me, from guilt, from resentment, from bad habits, from shame, from the pressures that other people try to put on me.

The people who are the most fully alive in life are those who are growing in spiritual maturity—because the truth sets me free.

It won’t happen overnight. But as I obey God more and more, I'll find myself becoming more like Jesus. The Message paraphrase says, “Our lives [are] gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

In summary:

Jesus teaches in John 8:31–32 that true discipleship means continually obeying His Word, not just knowing it. Spiritual growth is a lifelong, ongoing process marked by consistent obedience rather than accumulated knowledge. It’s not about how much of the Bible I understand intellectually, but how much I live out daily with love and humility. As I root my life in God’s truth and actively practice it, that truth transforms me—setting me free from guilt, shame, fear, resentment, unhealthy habits, and the pressures of others. Over time, steady obedience leads to deeper freedom and a life that increasingly reflects Christ, growing brighter and more beautiful as I mature spiritually.

Bottom Line:

Spiritual maturity isn’t about what I know—it’s about consistently obeying God’s truth, and that obedience is what leads to real freedom.

Next Steps:

Deepen My own daily obedience before expanding my external influence. If freedom and transformation come through consistent obedience, then the most powerful thing I can do for those I lead is to model it. Not just teach truth. Not just inspire vision. Live it visibly.

Practically, this looks like:

Establishing (or strengthening) a non-negotiable daily rhythm of time in the Word and reflective prayer.

Identifying one specific area where obedience needs to become more intentional—not theoretical, but actionable.

Integrating what I'm learning into my leadership conversations, coaching frameworks, and content—not as information, but as lived conviction.

My influence will only rise as high as my integrity.

My authority will only be as deep as my obedience.

As I align my life more fully with truth, I won’t just speak about freedom—I'll embody it. And that embodiment is what gives others permission to step into theirs. know—it’s about consistently obeying God’s truth, and that obedience is what leads to real freedom.

Deepen Before You Develop - Why Following Jesus Is the Foundation of Real Leadership

“Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.” John 12:26 (NLT)

Jesus talked a lot about being a “disciple.” As a believer, this is a word I hear a lot too.

But what did Jesus mean when he used the word disciple? To be a disciple, I must spend time with Jesus.

In any relationship, the more time I invest, the more I'm going to get out of it. It’s true in my relationship with Jesus too. I can’t be a part-time disciple; it’s a full-time responsibility.

Jesus said, “Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me” (John 12:26 NLT).

This verse teaches three things about spiritual growth.

First, spiritual growth is a choice. The verse starts off, “Anyone who wants to serve me. . .” God won’t force growth on me, and it won’t come automatically. I have to want and choose to serve him—to be his disciple.

If I feel distant from God, it’s not because he’s moved away. He’s always right there, inviting me to draw near to him. I have the choice to draw closer to him or to move away. 

Second, spiritual growth is a commitment. Jesus said that his disciples “must follow” him. After I've made the choice to grow, I “must” follow through with commitment!

I grow by making commitments. Getting married is a commitment that made me grow up. So is having kids, or taking on a new job, or pursuing an education. Anytime I make a commitment, I grow. That includes when I commit to being Jesus’ disciple.

Third, spiritual growth is a relationship. Jesus said, “My servants must be where I am.” It’s not about rules. It’s not about rituals. It’s not about a formula. It’s not about a bunch of expectations. It’s about being with Jesus. 

Obviously, Jesus isn’t here physically today. So how can I be with him? A great way is by having an ongoing conversation with him. Those can be quick prayers as I'm talking to someone at work, cleaning the house, or driving a car. As I do this over time, I will hear God speaking back to me, by filling my mind with truth and putting impressions in my heart.

Are you ready to start growing as a disciple of Jesus? It’s simple to get started: Just spend time with him.

In summary:

John 12:26 teaches that true discipleship means choosing to follow Jesus, committing fully to Him, and cultivating an ongoing relationship with Him. Spiritual growth begins with a personal decision—God does not force it—but requires consistent commitment, just like any meaningful life commitment that produces maturity. Being a disciple is not about rules or rituals; it is about being where Jesus is, spending intentional time with Him, and developing closeness through continual conversation and prayer. Growth happens as we prioritize His presence daily, recognizing that discipleship is a full-time relationship rooted in following, serving, and walking closely with Christ.

Bottom line:

Spiritual growth happens when I intentionally choose to follow Jesus, commit to Him fully, and consistently spend time in a relationship with Him.

Next step:

Deepen before I develop others.

If discipleship is about being with Jesus before doing for Jesus, then the greatest leverage point in my leadership is my proximity to Him. My influence will only be as deep as my intimacy.

Here’s what that means practically:

1. Protect unhurried time with Jesus

Not sermon prep. Not content creation. Not leadership development.

Just presence. Listening. Alignment. Conversation.

If I want to equip others at a high level, I must lead from overflow, not output.

2. Integrate “followership” into my coaching framework

I help people grow. What if I intentionally build this principle into my process?

Growth is a choice.

Growth requires commitment.

Growth is relational, not transactional.

That applies spiritually and professionally.

3. Model what full-time discipleship looks like in leadership

Let people see that my clarity, calm, courage, and conviction come from somewhere deeper than strategy.

I'm not just building leaders.

I'm forming people.

My next wisest move:

Align your 2026 focus (Alignment + Equipping) by anchoring my leadership development work in deep personal followership. Stay close. Then equip from that place.