Be Strong and Courageous

"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)

Remember those early years in bed at night when suddenly out of know where fear overcame you? Your parents were just down the hall but you were sure there was something in the closet, a monster under the bed, or somebody just outside your window. It was in that moment that you got your first taste of a feeling called fear. While fear is a real feeling those things that we fear aren't nearly as real as they might originally seem. We would all like to believe that we no longer deal with fear like we did as a child but while the focus of our fears might have changed (there really is no monster under your bed ;-) the feeling itself is still very present , very raw, and very real. But just like earlier in life, the focus of our fear isn't nearly as real as we might believe. It's typically fear itself and the emotions, worry, and stress that turns out to be worse than the feared event, conversation, decision, or situation.

Truth replaces feelings; or at least it should. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that God did not give us a spirit of fear, but instead he's given us the ability to have a sound mind instead. Philippians 4:6 tells us not to worry about anything but instead to pray about everything. And when we do this it tells us that we will receive God's unbelievable peace for our hearts and minds.

I encourage you today, don't allow the Devil to use your mind as a playground! Don't allow your feelings to dictate your relationships, attitudes, or week. Be strong and courageous!! God will be with you wherever you go and he is able to give you the strength to make it through whatever life throws at you!