Reflecting On Being Strong And Courageous by Sonia
There was a time when I thought being strong and courageous meant that I didn't need help when I was in need or I didn't need a shoulder to cry on when someone I loved betrayed me, hurt me. Once in my life, I carried all the burdens and heartaches of my life all alone. I didn't let anyone help me, not even God. I thought that was being strong and courageous. I was wrong.
Over the last few weeks, I have been reading the book of Joshua. God tells Joshua not once but over and over again to be "strong and courageous" and not to deviate from the instructions Moses gave him. You see Moses had died and now it was up to Joshua to lead the Israelite's across the Jordon River, into the land that God had promised them and their ancestors. In the first chapter God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous three times and then He tells Joshua "Do not deviate from them, (the instruction Moses gave him) , turning either to the right or to the left. Then will you be successful in everything you do."
I begin to reflect on how many times I had deviated from God's instructions for me and how failure had continued to be in my life over the years, even when I thought I knew how to be strong and courageous. The truth is I wasn't. Being strong isn't carrying all that life hits you with, alone. It isn't keeping what hurts you or who has harmed you a secret. Being courageous is not being a trooper and rolling with the punches. All that means is, you're getting beat up! Nothing is changing in your life, failure is still there!
When will change come? Will we be like Moses and never see the promise land? What must we do to cause change to happen? I know one thing for sure, seeking God isn't enough. It's when we seek and learn the instructions for our lives. Here's the hard part, we must not deviate from His plan, from His instructions. Just like He told Joshua He tells you, then and only then will you be successful in everything you do.
I love the part in chapter one, verse three, God says to Joshua, "I promise you what I promised Moses: Where ever you set your foot, you will be on Land I have given you." WOW ! Imagine that! God makes promises! That's not all, God also tells Joshua in verse nine, to be strong and courageous and not to be afraid or discouraged. "For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
I don't know about you, but I want change to happen in my life. I want to know that where I am setting my foot, is land God has given me. Because if He is the one doing the giving, then I know it's good for me. I'm done seeking after things and relationships that aren't of God. I'm ready to cross my Jordon, into the promise land He has waiting for me. Where I no longer have to be afraid and alone. You see, being strong means, seeking God's will in all that you do and being courageous is, obeying His will in all that you do. Remember, The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Sonia