“Have I not commanded you? 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, NIV).” This is one of my favorite verses for many reasons, but fore-mostly, because God commands how we should act and feel when life is handing us a bag of all-cracked and crumbled Oreos. Sometimes, life is just hard. It doesn’t go the way we planned, people act like, well, people, and circumstances are spiraling way out or control. How does God tell us we should act? Be strong and courageous!
It really seems to play out like that scene in a movie where everything is going wrong and there is always that one girl who is freaking out and going ballistic. Someone then slaps her and says, stop it, going crazy doesn’t help the situation. But it takes the slap to settle her down. I’m not advocating for abuse, but sometimes God needs to give us a slap and say again—-“Haven’t I told you? Be strong and courageous.”
Don’t Be Afraid, Don’t Be Discouraged
God goes on to tell us to not be afraid. He knows life throws curveballs and the bottom will fall out. This is when we need to remember to trust God, because He has everything in control and He is bigger than life. He made the universe, He started the earth spinning around the sun, He made every star in our galaxy and He has us in the palm of His hand.
For me, it is much harder to not be discouraged than not be afraid. I am discouraged when I have prayed for so long for God to work in someone’s life and she still hardens her heart towards Him. This is where it is hardest for me to trust God. I know He loves this person, and He is pursuing her. I have to allow her to keep falling until she comes to the conclusion that she needs God. I can pray, live a life that glorifies God, and give her into the arms of God for Him to work on her heart. This is so very difficult for me. However, I have to remind myself, don’t be discouraged, because I know God loves this person very much as well.
God is with you
Why does God command us to be strong and courageous and not to fear and be discouraged? Because He is with us always. This is a great comfort to me. God told Joshua that He is with us wherever we go. Jesus tells us, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20b, NIV).” Not only is God with us wherever we go, He is with us until the end of time. We are never alone, trying to do life on our own power. God is here with us, holding our hand, and guiding us so that we can have the best life ever. Life is downright difficult at times, but we don’t have to give into hysterics. With God in our company, we can laugh, be at peace and experience His comfort when things get tough. We can resolve to trust God and stand strong and courageous!
