Be Strong & Courageous

When we rolled into 2020, none of us had any idea that phrases and words such as pandemic, quarantine, shelter in place, flatten the curve, social distancing, zoom meetings and many others, would become so common in our everyday vocabulary. Yet, now here we are.

Students finished the school year at home and teachers are figuring out how to teach online. I am supposed to wear a mask when I go out in public. People have lost jobs and businesses. The economy is a mess. Students have missed out on sport seasons, school activities, maybe senior activities, and graduations. These times are certainly different than we could have pictured them just weeks ago.

We have no clue what’s going to happen next. We all wonder, will we ever get back to something we can call normal? So right now, we are stuck with all these concerns about the future.

So, the question is – what do we as followers of Christ do when those legitimate concerns become overwhelming and turn into fear? When my concerns start to give way to fear, I try to remember five biblical truths that help me to regain the right focus:

1. God is in control … not me!

2. That same God who is in control … loves me and promises that He is with me!

3. Since God is in control … I don’t need to be.

4. Trusting Him gives courage and peace in every situation!

5. God does a much better job of being in control than I do.

Maybe, these COVID-19 circumstances will remind us that some things are so far outside of our control – that we have no other option than to trust that God has it covered.

In Joshua Ch. 1, we read that Moses died and God was calling Joshua to be the next leader of Israel, some pretty rough days ahead. No matter how prepared Joshua may have been, he was likely afraid of what was coming next. I think that is why God gave him the same command four times – “Be strong and courageous.”

Joshua 1:9 “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

That is the only thing that makes since to me at times that I am afraid… God is with me wherever I go – I can trust Him because He is in control!