Be strong and Courageous!

God knows there are things to make us afraid, but the challenge remains and the command remains to not be discouraged and to not be afraid!  Furthermore, I have a feeling the times when our fear is greatest are instances where we need to rely on His perfect strength even more. Let me remind you as a believer that God is with you whether you’re strong or weak. He never leaves your side. Today and everyday ask Him to help you to trust His promises, experience His presence, and feel His love.

“I command you…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

Yes, God promises to care for us. At the same time, He never promised we wouldn’t face adversity. Christ warned, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV). You and I experience Christ’s peace when we realize that peace isn’t the absence of pressure. It’s the presence of God in the midst of our chaos.

As the pressure of stress and worry weigh on us, it’s easy to forget or ignore God’s peace. Often times it’s us who distance ourselves from God—not the other way around. But when you and I quiet ourselves and acknowledge God’s presence, peace washes over our anxieties. The truth is God is always near in times of trouble and He cares deeply about our pain.

You and I do not have a God who doesn’t understand our pain and emotions. He knows. According to dictionary.com the Hebrew word for “to know” is “yada.” In Greek, it is “yada” which means “a deep emotional experience; a bonding between two people when one truly feels the emotions of the other.” That’s our God, friends! He may be working for a higher purpose  that we can’t understand right now, but He is NOT detached from our pain. Let this truth calm your fears and soothe your heart. God knows; He’s been there and He’s there still.

Often the trials we mourn are really gateways to the good things we long for, like a deeper relationship with God, greater patience, and a compassion for others. Whatever God’s plan is, we can rest assured it’s a good one. While we wade through the process, we have His promised presence, provision, and understanding. “It is God with whom we travel, and while He is the end of our journey, He is also at every stopping place.”