Be Strong and Courageous

The Lord says many times throughout the Bible to not be afraid. My favorite Bible verse happens to be Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened or dismayed for the Lord your God is always with you.” If we truly lived our lives this way than there would be nothing that we couldn’t do or achieve for the Lord. We would truly be set free. 

Despite this verse being close to my heart, I still tend to live my life in fear. I forget to lay down my worries at the feet of the Lord. I lean on myself to figure life out. 

And why wouldn’t I be terrified. I make the wrong decisions all the time. I get carried away in emotion or obligation or taking on responsibilities that are not mine to carry. As humans we weren’t meant to carry this burden, so it only makes sense that I keep going back to fear. Despite my best efforts, I will let myself down every time. 

Reading my Bible consistently has always been hard for me. I tend to look at my quiet time in your stereotypical, sit down with a cup of coffee in a quiet space with my Bible and journal reading the Word and then reflecting on what I’ve read. And holy cow recently I can’t make myself do this. And y’all there is so much shame in that. As a Christian, one about to go on a year long mission trip no less, I should have a burning passion to do this everyday right? Because of the rigidity and limitations that I’ve put on reading the Bible, I don’t know my scripture very well. 

This lack of knowledge has me living in fear. I fear that I will show up for this trip looking like a fraud. That’s something I’ve even been fearful to admit to anyone. Fear on fear on fear. So I’m setting this emotion free by confessing it to all of you reading it here. The devil loves for us to keep things in the dark because that is where it stays, in darkness. Bringing fears and temptations into the light brings support, encouragement, and accountability. 

God reminds us again and again to not be afraid because He is where we draw our strength from and that will never return empty. So for me? I need not be afraid if the strict way I view quiet time is difficult because God brings so much freedom into that. There are many ways to study the Bible or listen to it or just read and ponder and let the journal writing come later if need be. Jesus allows us to experience Him in many ways. 

So where ever you are, whatever you’re experiencing in your life, remember that your strength comes from the Lord not yourself. God is with you wherever you go so there’s no need to be afraid. Live your life boldly. Be strong and courageous.