“…be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”. Joshua 1:9 (NLT)
When Moses died, Joshua was left to lead the Israeli people from the wilderness into the land God had promised them. God didn’t just hand them their new land; it required courage to fight the giants that inhabited it. Several times, God told Joshua to be strong and courageous. He didn’t give him fourteen steps to developing courage. He just told him to be it.
Courage isn’t a feeling or a mood. It’s not something that comes over you and it’s not a trait that only some are born with. We are all capable of choosing to be courageous in times of fear.
When I worked in emergency rescue, injured people would often scream out “Give me something for the pain!” We would administer an analgesic and, in a few minutes, you could watch them visibly relax. That instant feeling of relief reminds me of what happens when you go into the presence of God. Spending time with God strengthens your heart to be courageous.
When icy fear grips you and puts your stomach in a knot, spending time with God causes peace to flood in. His presence lifts the pressure and stress. You can shrug your shoulders and move on. When fear pushes at you, pray for His strength. Open your Bible and begin to take in His peace that transcends all understanding.