Be strong and courageous

"Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them…this Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For when you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:6;8-9

I’ve read this passage hundreds of times, I’ve heard it preached on probably about the same amount. And then the other day as I was re-reading it I started to view it from Joshua’s perspective.

Think about it for a moment, he was about to lead Israel into the Promise Land, He had just been handed the reigns to a nation and the unknown that was before them. I can just imagine the questions running through his mind: Can I do this?

What will we face?

Will I make the right choices?

Am I good enough?

Will the people even listen to me?

Can I even lead these people?

Part of my story is that I never thought that I could lead people, because I didn’t have the personality or the loud boisterous voice that I had seen in other leaders. I was the quiet, reserved, observer in the background willing to help out in anyway that I could, but never was meant to be in the front.

In fact there were times in my life where I was shut down and told that I wasn’t talented enough, couldn’t engage the crowed like him or her, and that I was better suited to be the supporter.

After digesting this several times I truly believed that, that’s just where I’d always remain…in the shadows.

One day though I was chosen to lead a team on a missions trip called the World Race and I physically laughed that I was chosen. I remember thinking me leading, that’s a good one…I remember my alumni leader just saying “Alysa, you have no idea what God sees in you, the kind of influence you carry, but you have what it takes and you’ll see it this year,

will you trust Him? ”

I nervously ended up saying “yes” to leading and I realized that I wasn’t too different than Joshua, questioning, doubting, and being so uncertain if I am good enough to do the task given me.

For you see as I reflect, I wonder if Joshua fought with the same question I have for most of my life (still even to this day) is me being me good enough?

Am I adequate, the right fit for the job?

You see, we all doubt, question, and wonder are we good enough?

Thankfully Papa has given us a promise, that He goes with us wherever we go. For, He would not give us something that we couldn’t handle and even when we may feel like we can’t, maybe He is wanting us to rely on Him more than ourselves in those situations.

I think that’s why He was saying this to Joshua, because He already knew what they would be facing, but He also knew that they were prepared from their time in the wilderness. Three times Papa tells Joshua to be courageous, probably because He knew that fear was going to try and cripple Him, or maybe even was in that moment, I know for me it more than likely would have been.

But, He knew that Joshua needed to hear this, because courage is faith over fear. In other words God was saying “Joshua, have faith and speak that over your fears.”

What would happen if we started to speak our faith over our fears?

To not talk about the mountain, but instead to the mountain (Mark 11:23).

Fear paralyzes us from fulfilling our purposes, fears lie to us and inhibit us to not go where we might have won. Yes, I did use the word might because we have a choice, we have an option, but we don’t really know unless we choose to step into where the Lord is leading.

Because, if I had said no, I probably wouldn’t have learned I love to help others walk in more hope, healing and freedom in their identity in Christ. I for sure wouldn’t have gone and alumni lead 54 people, and I wouldn’t be house mentoring now, and who knows what is next.

Because one thing I’ve learned is that fear is faith that it won’t work out. And whatever I meditate on will either grow or hinder my faith. I still have moments where my mind and heart don’t line up, where fear starts to seep in with decisions, relationships, dreams, passions, jobs, etc. But, what is saturating my fear, is it the word or is it the world?

Just like Joshua, we each are fully capable of helping people inherit the land that has always been promised to them.

Yet, are we too afraid to stop being shadow dwellers?

What would it look like for you to take a small step of courage to talk to that person the Lord has been prompting you to talk to for a while?

To say yes to that job even though it is less pay and doesn’t make any sense? To go after your dream?

Because you and I my friend were never meant to stand idle in the shadows, but are meant to take steps of faith and as we do we in turn start to inherit our own promise land.