Hey Sis,

Can I be honest with you? I haven’t been feeling very courageous lately. The strength has been zapped from me in the midst of circumstances and stormy seas, and I’ll admit- at times its hard to stand upright and even more, stand firm.

Courage is strength in the face of fear, strength in the face of adversity, strength amidst danger. It’s hard to look past the garish gloom and find confidence, clarity, direction, and even motivation. I don’t have the motivation to move right now. This cloud is kind of cozy and safe, and I just can’t muster up the strength to even look for my courage. Where has it gone?  Did I lose it? Has it been zapped from me? Do I even have it anymore? If I’m honest, I’ve been feeling more discouraged than encouraged. Anyone else in a similar place?

“So don’t lose your bold courageous faith, for you are destined for a great reward!”

Hebrews 10:35 TPT

When I search the pages of scripture for notable figures of courage, I find Joshua. What’s interesting about Joshua is not only what he did do, but what he didn’t do. 

He didn’t pay any mind to the size of the giants on the other side

He didn’t cower at the first sight of difficulty

He didn’t give up.

He kept moving forward into his calling at the very face of difficulty. In fact, he knew when he was anointed into his role that difficulty was going to be the name of the game. He was about to rewrite the pages of Israel’s history and that is not without its hardship.

Before Moses even left him, he encouraged him with the very words that God eventually spoke over him:

“Be strong and courageous.” Deuteronomy 31:7

If you scour the pages of Joshua, this is a reoccurring theme- a reaffirmation and personal encouragement to Joshua. Certainly, these words propelled him at the most trying moments of leadership. In moments of doubt, confusion, and terror, surely, he remembered those words and recited them to himself to not only give him courage for himself but courage for his people.

Sometimes the best way out of a rut is movement. If you are craving courage, get up and move. Perhaps the Lord wants to restore your courage, but first He asks something of you. He has already promised and assured us these truths.

“I will be with you.”

“I will go before you.”

I will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

These are some poignant truths that maybe we too need to hear as we navigate our courage. Perhaps its time to act. He’s already supplied us with the promise of his presence, but is that enough for us? What is holding us back? Fear of the unknown? Fear of the known- the giants we face in our lives? Fear of discovering our own inadequacy? And hint, without Christ, we are inadequate!

Sometimes before God grants His provision, He asks for our obedience.

Prior to entering the promised land (finally), God had one request, one act of obedience He required from Joshua and the Israelites:

“Give this command to the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant: ‘When you reach the banks of the Jordan River, take a few steps into the river and stop there…. As soon as their feet touch the water, the flow will be cut off upstream, and the river will stand up like a wall.” Joshua 3:8 NLT

As soon as their feet touch the water, then I will act. But first you must obey, and take the first step forward. The first time, He parted the waters (Exodus 14), they didn’t have to exercise their faith. He performed the miraculous act in front of their eyes. But the second time, he asked them to take one step into the water, an act of obedience- an act of greater faith. He was testing their courage, asking them to live out their faith.

I was convicted by this truth pretty recently- so I acted- and guess what? God supplied me with courage once I took the first step forward.

Sometimes before God acts, He requires obedience and greater measure of faith from us. It may be up to us to take the first step.

Consider this: What step of courage is God requiring of me today?

- Kierstin Almstrum, ARISE Director of Online Operations and Project Management