By Ronne Rock
God's Brave Women - Ronne's Story
It looks different for all of us, doesn't it?
I used to think bravery was comprised of big, bold, audacious steps that would cause the earth beneath my feet to quake. I've learned so much over the years about the mountain-moving power of trembling knees or how brave it is to carefully navigate the darkness just to follow the smallest sliver of light.
"I've learned so much over the years about the mountain-moving power of trembling knees or how brave it is to carefully navigate the darkness just to follow the smallest sliver of light."
Now, I’ll not lie. There have been big bold steps in my life. There was the Sunday morning I packed everything I could into a friend’s Plymouth Arrow and fled a thorny situation with my precious baby boy in tow. There was no real plan for the days ahead, but there was a fortitude within my soul that I knew was God’s own breath filling my lungs as I prepared for the journey.
I packed that boy up a few years later and moved to a new state and a new career in a newly formed management position at a television station. This time the boldness found itself not only in proving out my qualifications to be in that new role, but in figuring out childcare and finding the best place to live and the best church to attend so that boy could thrive.
And then, there was the leap from the comfort and benefits of a career in marketing television shows and perfect evenings of entertainment for the family to marketing the beauty of community and the power of a simple “yes” to the sponsorship of a child, or an act of service for the orphaned and vulnerable. Gone are the days of perks and pay raises and performance bonuses. But the boldness that was there more than a decade ago when marketing became ministry remains.
Yes, brave can be bold and audacious.
But I have learned that brave is far more often found in the quiet, live-to-breathe-another-day decisions that don’t feel powerful at all.
Sometimes, brave is the next step we take in what seems to be an endless list of next steps.
"But I have learned that brave is far more often found in the quiet, live-to-breathe-another-day decisions that don’t feel powerful at all. Sometimes, brave is the next step we take in what seems to be an endless list of next steps."
It’s celebrating your kid’s last day of school with gusto (as your heart catches in your throat while the unanswered “what next” questions mount). It’s yet one more job application or talk with a recruiter or cup of coffee with a potential client or boss (as you battle the internal voice that calls into question your value and worth). It’s choosing to still believe after listening to reports from doctors or counselors or therapists that always wrap confidence in conditions (as your weary soul waits and wonders).
Sometimes, brave is the thing we do in secret long before we take the public step. It’s learning to pray again after a season of silence and doubt. It’s letting our heart be reshaped by brokenness as we reach out to reconcile. It’s offering up the work of our hands to critique before we offer it up to the world. It’s speaking even if our voice trembles, and it’s knowing when presence is far more important than words could ever be.
Sometimes, brave is simply the thing we do right now, even as fear yells to us that we’re not ready—and we never will be.
"Sometimes, brave is simply the thing we do right now, even as fear yells to us that we’re not ready—and we never will be."
What I have learned about true bravery is this: it is resolute. Now, I’m not talking about resolute as in sheer boot-strapping determination. No, there are deeper definitions to the word—and those definitions are what makes it such a beautiful description of brave.
To be brave is to be steadfast.
“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
(1 Corinthians 15:58)
Bravery is simply keeping the main thing the main thing in the midst of a thousand flirting invitations that diminish the beauty of what we have been given. It is being steadfast with the days, and not demeaning the purposeful work of filling the space we’ve been given.
"Bravery is simply keeping the main thing the main thing in the midst of a thousand flirting invitations that diminish the beauty of what we have been given. It is being steadfast with the days, and not demeaning the purposeful work of filling the space we’ve been given."
To be brave is to be undaunted.
“So, here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Leave all your cares and anxieties at the feet of the Lord, and measureless grace will strengthen you.”
(Psalm 55:22)
One of the greatest qualities I've been taught from women leaders around the world is to not allow discouragement to take root in the days of hardships, difficult decisions, and in the seasons where things are simply mundane or just stuck. There is value in taking a breath and taking time to reflect so that my life becomes a response rather than a reaction.
To be brave is to loosen our grip.
“Place your trust in the Eternal; rely on Him completely; never depend upon your own ideas and inventions. Give Him the credit for everything you accomplish, and He will smooth out and straighten the road that lies ahead.”
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
Yes, one of the definitions of the word “resolute” is to loosen. Perhaps loosening our grip is the greatest brave of all. Giving ourselves freedom to explore new ideas, ponder new dreams, and invite new ways of thinking. Letting go of our drive to build kingdoms, and instead embrace the Kingdom that is being made known all around us, even in the smallest of moments. To rest in the comfort of knowing the days count, even if there is no page or stage to document the work.
"Perhaps loosening our grip is the greatest brave of all. Giving ourselves freedom to explore new ideas, ponder new dreams, and invite new ways of thinking. Letting go of our drive to build kingdoms, and instead embrace the Kingdom that is being made known all around us..."
If you journeyed with me to the east side of Austin, Texas, you’d meet Flo. She lives in a community riddled by pain and poverty, tending to children and senior adults who struggle to survive. She’s often asked why she stays when she has been offered new opportunities in safer neighborhoods with more money and prestige. Her words remind me of what it means to be truly brave. Flo is beautifully resolute.
“If I am going to trust God with my life, that means I trust Him with where my life is right now. And it means I make sure I’m doing the most with this life right now.”
Brave Woman Manifesto
Make sure to check back next week as another courageous Sister shares her story! And by the way...
You are Brave!
No matter what you are facing, God has made you in His image, which means you are full of His strength and power. I would love to connect with you more and give you a FREE gift - the BRAVE WOMAN MANIFESTO: Five Things to Tell Yourself When Life Gets Hard. Click HERE to sign up for my monthly newsletter and you’ll receive the FREE Manifesto, as well as recent blog posts, updated resources and personal details delivered only to my lovely email tribe. AS A BONUS… Subscribers will also be the first to receive news regarding the BRAVE WOMEN BIBLE STUDY coming out later this year and a sample chapter! *insert happy dance here* SIGN UP for more info on the study’s release and availability!
About Ronne
Ronne Rock weaves themes of transformative hope and grace-filled leadership into everything she shares on page and stage. She's an author and speaker—offering honest encouragement and road-tested wisdom about topics ranging from leadership and ministry engagement to discovering your God-crafted design and purpose.
You’ll find her words on work/life balance shared in Joyful Life Magazine, and her stories of hope are offered up regularly as she serves as Engagement Manager for Orphan Outreach, a global nonprofit that provides care for the orphaned and vulnerable. Her book, One Woman Can Change the World: Reclaiming Your God-Designed Influence and Impact Right Where You Are, is available wherever books are sold.
An Oklahoma gal by birth, Ronne now lives in the Texas Hill Country with her husband, Brad, and rescue pup, Pearl. They are all praying their son and his family back to Texas from Arizona, which she has deemed far too far away.
You’ll find Ronne on Instagram and Facebook and more of her words on her website ronnerock.com.
“Sometimes, brave is simply the thing we do right now, even as fear yells to us that we’re not ready—and we never will be.”
Thank you, Ronne. As I lead a new group at my church, I keep thinking I’m not ready, but the feedback I get is so encouraging. I need to trust God is equipping me as I step out in faith, even when I “feel” fearful.
Beautiful words Ronne! Thank you for sharing. This encouraged me and reminded me to take my next brave step, no matter how small. ♥️