“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:9
A lot of people have told that I have so much bravery and courage and the majority of the time I reply with “well I don’t really feel like it”, because there are many times I feel so weak and afraid. I don’t feel brave or courageous I feel scared because this call, this journey seems too hard at times.
I used to think courage meant not being afraid or weak. Now I know it means going and doing despite the fear or weakness; walking through the fear and weakness into His mighty and loving promises. When fear comes we have two choices. We can sit in our fear and try not to let it devour us while it hinders us from going after our dreams or we can walk in faith towards the dreams and passions God has laid upon our hearts. The ones who chooses to walk in faith might still have fear but they just choose not to listen to it, not to entertain it. They choose to focus more on the God of truth than the enemy of lies and fear. That is courage. That is the courage I long to have. The courage I’m asking Jesus to help me attain cause I cannot do it on my own.
You who holds the stars, who calls them each by name will surely keep Your promises to me that I will rise in your victory. -Bethel Music
God has been speaking a lot to me about my future. And although it seems a bit scary and I’m realizing the reality, depth, and intensity of the task He has called me to, I’m choosing to go and be strong & courageous despite these fears, hardships, and pain. To go despite the fear and weakness- not letting it stop me or hold me back from all that God has prepared.
“Get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them- the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot. As I promised Moses” Joshua1:2-3
“No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.” Joshua 1:5-6
God is telling Joshua here that Moses has died so He is now giving Joshua the task of leading His people to the promise land. He is telling Him to get ready and go despite the fear I’ m sure he had. can you imagine that task and how scared he felt? but he said yes to the call despite all of that and trusted that God would rise strength and courage in him to go and lead His people on.
It’s time to get ready. To let God prepare me, train me, strengthen me to courageously lead His people back to Him.
For those of you struggling with fear, do not let the fear win. Don’t let fear stop you from running after the dreams and passions God has given you. Run after them, run after Him while you throw off the fear and let the arms of love embrace you and build courage and strength in you. He has such a mighty purpose for your life.
“I can feel the drum of your heartbeat, calling us to be you hands and feet. Rising up with courage in our hearts to carry out your love to the hardest and the dark” Take Courage- Lindy Conant