What’s Stopping You from Being Sturdy and Brave?
By Megan Conner
Bible Studying:
“Have I not commanded you? Be robust and brave. Don’t be afraid; don’t be discouraged, for the LORD your God might be with you wherever you go.” (Josh. 1:9, NIV)
With the flip of the calendar, comes a brand new 12 months. For many of us, it is a time to replicate on what has been and look ahead with anticipation in the direction of what’s going to come. Maybe you might be somebody who loves the brand new 12 months. A contemporary begin, a clean web page – it’s all so inspiring. The sky is the restrict. Or perhaps, you might be on the opposite aspect of the coin and really feel a bit overwhelmed or apprehensive about what the unknown future may convey. I feel I most likely land someplace within the center. As a author, a metaphorical clean web page excites me, however it may additionally terrify me. What about you?
I do know for a lot of, the brand new 12 months incites an eagerness for what’s forward. These identical people usually ponder and pray over a “phrase of the 12 months” that they sense God is talking to their hearts. As soon as found, they elevate this phrase or phrase like a banner over their lives for the subsequent twelve months. I had not tried this follow myself till two years in the past. Throughout that grey, nebulous week between Christmas and New Yr’s, I struggled with what was forward. I actually didn’t wish to “tackle” a brand new 12 months. I felt like I had barely survived the final one and had little or no curiosity in reliving the expertise. However as I used to be praying one afternoon, I heard a mild whisper; a single phrase – braveness.
I’ve by no means thought-about myself brave in any means. I realized resilience via the hardships that had come my means, however power doesn’t all the time equal braveness. So, after I unintentionally stumbled throughout this surprising “phrase of the 12 months,” I used to be certain I had misunderstood that also small voice. This might not be for me. I used to be not a courageous lady. Regardless of my hesitation, I couldn’t shake the sense that this declaration actually was for me. With little or no confidence that I might ever embody the true that means of the phrase, I surrendered to the Lord and humbly prayed, “When you actually need me to have braveness – then YOU might want to give it to me.”
I knew I used to be not somebody who was naturally fearless, however I additionally acknowledged I used to be not alone. The Bible is FULL of followers who struggled to face their very own fears. There’s additionally an abundance of instructions and exhortations directed to God’s folks, saying, “Concern not” and “Be brave.” One passage specifically stood out to me from Joshua chapter one. On this brief chapter, the phrase “be robust and brave” is repeated 4 occasions. 4 – in solely 18 verses!
On this passage, Joshua receives his formal fee from the Lord to go and declare the Promised Land. This second was extraordinarily important for Joshua and the entire Israelite neighborhood. The final time their folks confronted this identical alternative, their dad and mom and grandparents allowed concern to dictate motion and so they ended up wandering within the desert for forty years as a substitute of believing in God’s deliverance and provision. So right here they have been… once more, 4 many years later, and the mandate is repeated 4 occasions: “Be robust and brave.” I don’t suppose it is a coincidence. Maybe it wanted to be declared 4 occasions as a symbolic reminder of every decade spent within the wilderness. Very like Peter repeating “You already know I really like you” thrice (one for every denial) when he spoke with Jesus in John chapter 21. God knew they would wish this repetitious reminder, identical to He knew I would wish it as effectively.
What about you? Do you should be reminded of God’s name to forge forward with braveness? If that’s the case, just like the Israelites of outdated, let’s recall the bravery of Joshua who led the folks to the Promised Land, and the second Joshua, our Savior Jesus Christ, who leads us all to the everlasting Promised Land. Allow us to heed the command of the Lord and press onward in religion. He might be with us wherever we go.
“Have I not commanded you? Be robust and brave. Don’t be afraid; don’t be discouraged, for the LORD your God might be with you wherever you go.” (Josh. 1:9, NIV)
Intersecting Religion & Life:
Is there one thing you might have sensed the Lord is main you to try this you might have been too anxious or scared to behave upon? What do you suppose is holding you again? How will you look to scripture to realize confidence and encouragement to take these first small steps of religion? Learn via the extra passages provided and notate any particular scriptures that may function reminders the subsequent time you should be robust and brave.
Additional Studying:
Joshua 1
Deuteronomy 31:6
Photograph Credit score: ©GettyImages/vchal
To learn extra from Megan, try her Blog, Simply One Extra Chapter. If you need to attach additional with Megan, you may uncover extra on her Website, on Facebook, or Instagram.
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