Wednesday Wisdom Tip: It's GOOD to be Bold {Give Away Day}

It's Good to Be Queen

 

“How many of you want to be bold?” Liz asked.

The number of hands that went up? Well, it was quite underwhelming.

What is it about the word bold?Ā 

I decided to check out what dictionary.com said. Maybe this would reveal why out of 800 women in the room I could count the number of raised hands.

Bold:Ā 

1.Ā not hesitating or fearful in the face of actual or possible danger orĀ rebuff; courageous and daring
I want to be courageous and daring! That’s what I want for my girls. too. Not hesitant or fearful in the face of danger. Give us double doses!
2.Ā not hesitating to break the rules of propriety; forward; impudent
Maybe this is it. We’re afraid to stick out? Be called rebellious? Or even that nasty word I got on my report card: loud.
3.Ā necessitating courage and daring; challenging

Yes! Back to the positive!
4.Ā beyond the usual limits of conventional thought or action;Ā imaginative

Absolutely! I want my daughters and I to go way past conventional thought and actions. I pray for us to be world-changers and that usually means pushing past the norm.
5.Ā striking or conspicuous to the eye; flashy; showy

Awwww … this may be the kicker; the one thing we are afraid of. It’s what we don’t want to be or even accused of: flashy or showy.
It appears to me though, if we are going to make a difference, change the world, it’s going to be a mixed bag. WeĀ are going to have to be bold and that may mean being misunderstood sometimes. Even so, it’s a bag I’m going to pick up and encourage my girls to also!Ā 
I’m going to encourage them to be like the Queen of Sheba.
Queen of Sheba?
Yes! Not the Queen of Sheba we saw in elementary school in old-school Hollywood flicks late at night before the TV screen went fuzzy. I want them to resemble The Queen of Sheba that Liz Curtis HiggsĀ reveals in her new book, “It’s Good to Be Queen“.
The Queen of Sheba was bold in the best sort of way. In 1 Kings 10 we read of her visit to King Solomon; her visit to learn. She wanted more than she had.
More wisdom.
More understanding.
More. So she was bold and went to the one place she could find it. She risked the danger to not just find out more, but to become more. And she was well rewarded.
Can I just tell you how much I am enjoying Liz’s new book? (I would have been done by now, only I got the amazing opportunity to speak at She Speaks, where Liz was speaking too. I even got to eat breakfast with her! How cool is God..and Liz too!)
Queen Sheba is challenging me to become bold, open, humble, honest and so much more.
I’m so excited because today we’re giving away a “It’s Good to Be Queen” Book Bundle! One blessed winner will receive:
* Queen of Sheba earrings
* Queen of Sheba hair clips
* a picture frame
And more!
To enter for an opportunity to win the book bundle, in the comment section on my blog below, simply share where you could be bolder in your life. And if it is one of those busy days, just say “I’m in!”
The winner will be announced on Friday!

Lynn

150 Comments

  1. I’m always more of a behind the scenes type of gal! From helping with the PFC at the kids school, to MOPS, and even work. I have great ideas for a lot of things, I need to be bolder in getting my thoughts and voice heard!!

  2. Jennifer D. says:

    I could be bolder in sharing my faith!! I tend to be a wimp when it comes to this.

  3. Elsie Davies says:

    I will love to be bold in my walk to share the gospel, to tell anyone I meet about Jesus. I speak daily about who God is and what he is doing in my life at work. I sing along with the gospel song I listen at work and will give God thanks for my daily bread and the wisdom he is given to me at work. I know I need to do more than just talk, I want the courage to speak boldly about who Jesus, his goodness, his character and love for his children. I may not be know the Whole Bible like I should, but I have walk and see God move in and through my life and want others to experience his joy, love and sweet present in their life.

  4. I stepped out – was bold at a different time in life…it went well for a while but took a turn…while I was busy being bold I also became proud & took a needed tumble…7 years later I’m ready to be bold in the right way…the Lord’s way – thank you for helping me along this journey – you’ve been a big part of my past few years – Praise & Blessings on your bold journey ?

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      I took that same road, Trish. Out of His great love for me, He held me back while I traveled the road to humility. He still takes me down it…did just this weekend at She Speaks. I am so grateful He loves me so much!

  5. I have become more bold but I want more boldness in speaking in my home. I want to speak into my children’s lives and into their friends. I see a movement for women to be bold and not shrink back!!! Be bold!

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      I see that movement, too, Rhonda! God has given us so very much. We have got to share His love and truth with those around us!

  6. It’s funny I was thinking about the question of what areas of my life I would like to be more bold in and the 2 responses above at a glance appear to be my top 2 thoughts as well! I would like to be more bold in my faith for sure. I was raised in the church, but by middle and high school, we were not very involved. I’m almost 50 and have been raising my children to lead a Chtistian life, but still feel like I can improve in the area of sharing and leading by example.
    Also, I’m always willing to volunteer at school, but prefer the assigned duties; I never want to be in charge. I would like to be more bold and volunteer to help in bigger ways.
    I would love to read this book and would enjoy the book bundle for sure!
    Thank you for your inspiring words always.

  7. God has been impressing on me the need to be bold with my beliefs about Him and how that relates to life. At one point in my life, I used to be bold for Christ… life experiences have diminished my boldness and that needs to change.

  8. I need to be more bold in speaking up and sharing with my two daughters friends moms. We live in a world of compromise and we as moms need to speak into our girls lives and I want to be more bold to share that with other moms that I know and have daughters that my girls are friends with who influence each other.

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Rae – I love this. We have the opportunity to influence others for good more than we realize.

  9. I believe the reason why I would be needing this book is because; this book is exactly like what I’m go through right now in this season of my life. To not be afraid of anything or anyone and to step up to the plate of the kind of person that God has made me and wants me to be. If I mess up along the process than I do but I’m not afraid anymore and I don’t want to be afraid anymore, I want to be able to trust God along the journey, the way. No matter what I go through.

  10. God has been challenging me to pray boldly!!!

  11. Cathi Nichols says:

    I need to be bolder in how I act. As a Christian sometimes I don’t act the way I should so I would like to be a bolder acting Christian who also learns to share her faith more openly.

  12. For me, change is fearful. Yet change is not only inevitable but it is as part of life that I am going thtough. I wish I could be more bold in the face of change and face it like Esther faced Haman, the man who wanted to kill her uncle and her people, than like a scared person who doesn’t just happen to have the same AMAZING STRONG AND FAITHFUL God behind her.

  13. I want to be bolder in every area of my life but specifically in areas that I’m not comfortable or familiar with. These are the ones I want to run and hide from.

  14. We all have moments of influence, big and small. Being bold allows Christ’s love to shine in those moments. Our willingness to be bold creates opportunities that can change lives around us.

  15. I want others to recognize that my faith is the dominating power in my life, but because of my lack of confidence and boldness at times I fail to showcase this power when I should. This past Saturday, my siblings and I planned a surprise 70th birthday party for our mother. I had prepared a short talk that I planned on sharing, but when it came to the night of the party, I backed out of it. My brother spoke the entire time and I felt so bad that I didn’t share anything. I didn’t open my mouth the entire time. I had prayed that God would give me confidence and that He would take away my fear, but I guess I didn’t rely on Him enough. I would love to win the book bundle to encourage me in my boldness walk. By the way – there were over 100 people in attendance at the party.

  16. Hi Lynn,
    I so want to be bold as I go on my first mission trip out of the country!! I am taking my teenage son and daughter,also.
    I want to be bold for God to receive the glory!!
    Thanks for your emails. They are very encouraging to me

  17. The biggest area I want to be bold is in sharing my faith and beliefs, both with family and with friends/ coworkers. But I also want to be more bold with my dreams and passions. I love to write but have yet to try to get my work out there. I want to be bold and share!

  18. I just finished reading ” The Legend of Sheba: Rise of a Queen” from Tosca Lee. This would be a great follow up to her Christian novel.
    I would like to be more bold in my home making a relationship with God more of a priority. I back down when my husband & son don’t want to go to church to avoid arguments.

  19. I want to be more bold with my teens.

  20. I want to be more bold. After reading this post it pushes me to take action…I was diagnosed with MS & has been a tough battle @ 25 it’s the very last thing your thinking of, but w gods direction I can still grow to be bold.

  21. Being bold is never easy for me. I’d love to learn
    more on how to be bold so I can do whatever
    god asks of me.

  22. Laurie Lett says:

    I have been bold in taking a baker job last week and have been sobbing ever since not certain if I am bold enough to handle the job after 15 years gap of being housewife!!!

  23. Shelon Milligan says:

    I have 2 little girls…4 and 1. I’m keeping these things in my heart for when I need to be bold for them. I want to be bolder in my marriage, my place of work, with my friends…to stand up for why I believe what I do šŸ™‚

  24. Kristin Sparkman says:

    I need to be bolder in speaking the truth in love to people who hear it. Instead of just encouraging them and not telling them the tough stuff.

  25. Mary Lynn says:

    Bold in trusting God to take care of every situation- I want to worry and then jump in and start meddling- Trust and bold obedience to God’s Will

  26. Makeshia Pressley says:

    I am bold–too bold– at times. I need to learn to be bold in a better way. I don’t want to offend–I want to help and uplift. I want to be a picture of God for others.

  27. Christine Cromley says:

    I need to be bolder in allowing others to help me when I am in pain!

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Asking and accepting help…that’s a hard one!

  28. I want to be bold in the ways God will lead me when I’m in my community.

  29. I need to be more bold in not only sharing, but showing my faith to others. I’m afraid to speak about Him to others, as I don’t want to come off as a “pushy” Christian. As I’ve sought council from Him, I’m realizing I don’t have to come off as pushy. All I need to do is be bold and lead others to Him by an example of my own life. Rarely are words even needed.

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      That will preach, Angela!

  30. I would love to win . . . Be bold and courageous are my words for this year. It is so great how the Holy Spirit speaks through the day, showing these to me in times when it just doesn’t “feel” it. That is when God is on the scene. Yeah!!

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      I love those divine intersections too, Dot!

  31. I need to be more bold in acting/speaking in love rather than out of raw emotion, especially with my family.

  32. Dena Sharpe says:

    I want to be bolder at work.

  33. I want to be bolder in my prayer life. Not just to rattle off my “wish list” prayers but to have big, bold conversations with God.

  34. I desire more boldness in speaking truth to my adult children without driving them away, leading by example. A broken family creates so many challenges.

  35. Cari Adams says:

    We Christians need this message today! I want to be bold for Jesus. I want to not be afraid of what others think about we live our lives differently. Thanks for featuring this book by Liz Curtis Higgs, Lynn!

  36. I need to be bolder in love, speaking in love, and in faith. Maybe even bolder in just speaking, period.

  37. I can be more bold in giving and trusting! I’m in!

  38. I could be bolder proclaiming my relationship with Christ. I am confident in talking about Him to my Bible Study group and with people who I know are Christians. However, when I am unsure, I am less outspoken about my dependence on Him.

  39. I need to be bold by letting go, to be quiet, and let Him lead me in the way He has planned for me.

  40. For me, I could be bolder in making changes in my life that need to be made, rather than talking myself out of change and procrastinating on change.

  41. Stephanie says:

    I would love to be BOLD in getting back into the workforce. I have been a stay at home mom for 16 years and I have to go back to work now. Getting started is scary and I cannot move past my fears. I need God’s strength and a big old shove.

    1. Me too, thank you for your post! Reminded me to give it to the Lord…

  42. nancys1128 says:

    I could be bolder in sharing my thoughts – in any and all situations.

  43. Ann Johnson says:

    Boldness to follow through on the Lord’s promptings He gives to me.

  44. I need to be more bold in sharing Christ with adults. I don’t have any problem sharing with children, but adults…. I’m sad to say, that’s another story.

  45. Angelique says:

    I need to be more bold in stepping back and letting God be in control.

  46. I need to be strong in courageous for my family and people I know

  47. MichelleH says:

    I need to be bold, go back to school, and finish my degree.

  48. Waynell Nall says:

    Absolutely – I want to be BOLD & COURAGEOUS! I’M IN!!!

  49. I’m in! I could say I ‘love’ being bold but… sometimes, not so much! It’s hard feeling like the only one standing up for the Truth of scripture – getting the looks of ‘she’s a bit radical’ or comments of the same sort. Would love to get the package – and continue to pray for a holy, humble boldness!

  50. Dori Sheese says:

    I’m in! AND I want to be bolder in my faith, work, expressing my concerns, dealing with problem situations, etc., etc., etc. I am stressing right now about sending my son to college (very difficult situation on many parts!). Please pray for me in this situation. I would LOVE to read this book! Thanks for the offer!

  51. I need to be more bold in my every day life! I don’t hide my Christianity but I don’t try to stand out with it! (Not in a pushy way-in a love like Jesus loves way!)

  52. I need to be bolder towards strangers in witnessing & when sharing with family & friends

  53. I need to be bolder in sharing the love and truth of Christ in person. I do fine in writing, but inrl I am hesitant. Love Liz and her encouragement!

  54. I’m in what a great resource. Don’t we all need the reminder to ask boldly, walk boldly, behave boldly in our love of God!

  55. Elaine Huskey says:

    I could be boulder if I would become more vulnerable and conquer my self sabotaging ways

  56. Melissa Puckett says:

    I want to be boldn in all areas of my life….my prayer life, my marriage, my kids, my friends, my faith, my business..I think the opposite of bold is fear…I don’t want to live there anymore!!!

  57. I’m in! I could be bolder in sharing the good news with others who do not know of God!

  58. celines morales says:

    In using my talents for God

  59. I’ve always been painfully shy, so I could be bolder in just about every aspect. The only area where I’m bold is my career, because I have mad skills šŸ™‚

  60. I want to pray boldly! I have financial needs as a single mom with my daughter about to start college! Pray boldly for what is needed. I tend to say “oh God knows what I need, I don’t have to tell Him” but yet when I minister to women about praying I tell them Pray specifically and pray boldly. Go figure! Jesus Take the Wheel. šŸ™‚ thanks for what you to in the lives of Women.
    Alvesa

  61. Kimberly Myers says:

    How I pray to be bold in sharing the Gospel to the family and friends Who avoid any kind of talk about God and his amazing saving Grace.

  62. I’m in!

    I need to learn to be more bold in my life and ministry. I struggle with public speaking as well as being to passive. All through God’s grace, right!?!?

    Thank you for a chance to win!

  63. Pam Davis says:

    I need to be more bold in sharing my faith with strangers and speaking life to my family and not negativity.

  64. Charlotte says:

    I can be bolder about setting boundaries and speaking up when they are crossed.

  65. It’s great to be bold! I can’t say I’ve always been a good type of bold & I could certainly be bolder in my faith, in the sharing of it. I’d have been one of the “raised hands”. Dying to read this book.

  66. Too many areas to count where I need to be bolder.

  67. There are a lot of things I needed to be bolder about! The main one though that is always nagging at me is to get my girls more involved with studying/learning/reading the bible.

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Yahoooo! Let me help, Lynn! Be sure to check out my freebies page as well as my book resources. We can do this TOGETHER!

  68. Dawnette M says:

    I’m in!! Boldness with WISDOM is needed in many aspects of my life right now. I can’t do it without God.

  69. I am in a place where I want to be bold, yet I get tangled up in self righteousness and come across rough around the edges. The Lord is really teaching me and challenging me to be bold in a humble, loving, and gentle way. Living in Silicon Valley these days is proving to be more challenging each day for me, my husband and kids. We are here for such a time as this and we desire to be used boldly by God to further His Kingdom in the Silicon Valley. Thanks for your encouragement!!

  70. Honestly, i need to be more bold in every thing, especially with my faith and being a leader for my kids.

  71. I could be bolder with sharingm my story . I think I am a little afraid to revisit it .

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      God has given you the gift of speaking, Jade! Be bold and ask for the courage you need to be part of bringing life change to others! YOU GO GIRL! Thank you so much for being in my speaker coaching group at She Speaks!

  72. It would be easier to ask where shouldn’t I be more bold when it comes to my faith. I know I can do better and I need to commit to it and stop worrying about what others will think.

  73. ChelleBelle says:

    I’m In!
    BTW I don’t know if you are here regularly or not, but to whomever sent me “The Mended Heart” Thank you so much it is not only life changing, but life GIVING. I can’t wait to pass on the book to the next person. You are an absolute blessing. The level of healing I have been experiencing is amazing, and so encouraging. I want the next step, I want to be bold in every Godly aspect.

  74. Great encouraging words on how to be bold for the Lord and to make a difference in someone’s life. Count me in on this great book!

  75. Would love to win this package? Especially now that I am emphasizing to my girls (and self) the importance of practical living.

  76. I need to be bolder in my faith walk.

  77. I was thinking just this morning about how I used to think my testimony wasn’t strong enough to lead people to God. Now, since the loss of my only child and still keeping the faith, I feel like I finally have a story worth sharing. So I started a blog. But sometimes it’s hard to hit the “publish” button. I always wonder how people will react to what I have to say. Is it worth reading? Is it meaningful? Is it helping anyone but myself? Sometimes I just need a little confidence and boldness.

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Kristen, I struggled with not having a story too. God has shown me that my story is His story. It is the story of grace that is able to keep us in addition to saving us šŸ™‚

  78. I’m in, I’m in, I’m in! Love me some Liz Curtis Higgs!

  79. Stephanie Kenworthy says:

    I’m in!!!! Need to be bolder with my daughters, 4th & 7th grader, as life gets harder as they are exposed to more things in this world letting them know Christ is their Father.

  80. I am not a confrontational person at all. I would much rather keep my words to myself then to actually speak up for myself. I definitely could be and want to be bolder in this area of my life. I want my kids to know it is ok to speak their mind when they have something to say. I do not want them to fear confrontation as I do. So yes, I do need to be bolder. Not only for myself but for them as well.

  81. Would love to be bolder to share what God is doing in my life with all who cross my path.

  82. I want to be bolder to say what needs to be said (in love, of course)!

  83. Lawan Rivera says:

    I will be more bold sharing Jesus with my neighbors!

  84. I would like to be bolder in most areas of my life.

  85. No problem for me to be bold….I’m searching for some balance! Not born with the shy gene yet this socially private (nice oxymoron) person likes her down time!

  86. Christina Hall says:

    I need to be bolder in telling people about Jesus not about religion. I need to be bolder in praying specifically.

  87. I need to be bolder in every aspect of my life!

  88. Karen A C says:

    I would like to be bolder when I need or should speak up about something.

  89. I wish I were bolder on days when I think I am too busy to say “yes”. I’m in for sure. And I really think for the most part I am pretty bold. But there is always room for MORE.

  90. Cheryl MC says:

    Being a mom and a grandmother of girls, my heart’s desire is for them to be BOLD in every area of their lives, OUTLOUD AND ON PURPOSE! Passing the knowledge of BOLDNESS to the next generation is vital! I’M IN!!!

  91. Robyn Armstrong says:

    I want to be bolder during confrontations….I would rather run the other direction.

  92. Venus Ann says:

    I’m in! šŸ™‚

  93. I’m in! I want to be bold for Jesus !

  94. I want to be bolder at sharing the message of God’s redeeming love in my own small community. I’m much bolder about it with those I don’t know as well. Also, that as I work with our youth ministry this year that I will be bold enough to share the message God has put on my heart for our young girls.

  95. I think I am a pretty BOLD woman but I am certain I have room to grow and learn to be even bolder. I would love to be more willing to “stick out” for Jesus. I’m sure Liz’s book is insightful and provoking. I would love to win your giveaway!

  96. Sandra Tagaban says:

    My friend Sherry and I have August birthdays. We have a standing date every year for breakfast and to exchange gifts. This year I bought her It’s Good to be Queen. Her nickname is ZQUEEN. It’s even on her license plates. She will be tickled to get this book although she’s pretty bold already.

  97. I need to be bolder in standing up for my God and all that He stands for. Too often I cower and don’t say anything out loud, while on the inside I’m shouting my beliefs and why the opposition should agree.

  98. Lisa Huber says:

    Oh I’m in! I need to be more bold in the area of saying nooooooooooooooo!

  99. Aimee stewart says:

    I want to bold as I minister to women at my church. Speaking truth in love and knowing when to be silent.

  100. Darlene Cahill says:

    Bold to stepping out in obedience to a call placed on me ….10 yrs ago!!! I have visited the King and learned(ing) of His higher ways.! Now to boldly speak this to a land I’ve been called to.

  101. Susan Gruener says:

    I probably could be bolder in sharing Jesus with the unchurched. I loving sharing with other believers how good our God is, but they already have the gift of eternal life!
    I will start being bolder tomorrow! šŸ™‚
    Thanks for being bold with us Lynn!

  102. Autumn Farley says:

    I would love to be bolder in building relationships. It’s so easy to focus on your immediate family and friends that I overlook other people who need someone to just care about them. Loving like Jesus!

  103. Susan Milillo says:

    I desire to be bolder in the area of living without loads of doubt in my decisions from moment to moment.
    I want to give my day to The Lord, and then confidently and boldly trust Him to lead me.

  104. ā€œIā€™m in!ā€

  105. Wow I don’t think it’s a coincidence that my devotions just this week included the Queen of Shebas visit to Solomon! I am challenged to live bold in my daily speech in front of my girls and making sure it’s honoring in tone and word! /)

  106. I would like to be more bold in my home with my family!

  107. I would love to be more bolder. I feel like God has called me to write a book about how I used to be and how I am now or just tell someone about it. I am afraid of the criticism I would get and what other people would think. I hate confrontation and I get so scared talking to people.

  108. Amanda Gay says:

    I want to be bolder in my work!

  109. Melissa Kiker says:

    I need to be more bold in the area of service and missions. God blessed me with a huge heart for helping others, He blessed me with a heart that feels the pain of others, and He’s given me a very strong desire to undo the injustice that has held so many people in bondage for so long! But often I find that wonderful ideas can be given as visions, passionately shared with others (along with a very bold statement that we will not allow this injustice-homelessness? abuse? rape? hunger?-continue one more minute). I’ll even go so far as to say we need to think and pray over a game plan and get back together. That’s where my boldness seems to fizzle. I need the boldness to ACT!

  110. Kerry Ann says:

    I could be bolder in sharing my faith!!

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