Where do I get the courage to go on when life seems too hard or obstacles too big?
Deuteronomy 20:1“When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you!”
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.”
Psalm 27:1The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?
Isaiah 41:10“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
In life, you will probably find yourself in some scary situations—mortal danger, extreme stress, major illness, money issues, or any number of problems. True courage comes from understanding that God is stronger than your biggest problem or strongest enemy, and he wants you to use his power to help you. Courage is not misplaced confidence in your own strength, but well-placed confidence in God’s strength. Fear comes from feeling alone against a great threat. Courage comes from knowing God is beside you helping you fight the threat. To stay courageous, focus more on his presence and less on the problem.
Numbers 14:6-9Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. They said to all the people of Israel, “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! . . . Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!”
Fear is part of life. You can’t completely escape the emotion of fear, but you can learn to manage it so that it doesn’t control you. Joshua and Caleb had courage fueled by the promise of God that he was greater than any enemy or problem they faced.
