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

I’ve been reading through Joshua recently and its crazy how the Lord makes new things jump out at me every time.  Of course I’ve read these verses before, but I don’t think I’d ever noticed just how many times it says… be strong and courageous.

They were about to walk into the great unknown.  I mean, they had no clue what was waiting for them on the other side.  And the Lord was preparing them for that, fortifying them for that, giving them all the strength that they needed to be ready to face what HE knew was coming.  It’s a good kind of peace to know that the Lord knows what is ahead for us even when we don’t have a clue.  And not only that, He gives us the strength we need to face it.  And He promises to go with us so we don’t have to do it alone.  Over the past couple weeks  I have really needed reminders of those promises.

Sometimes I feel like I’m in over my head.  I thought we would have 4 girls and at the moment 3 girls and 3 babies is more than enough :)  They have a new kind of need every day… emotionally, spiritually, physically… reminders to take their medicine, getting them to buy school supplies, spending time with them to remind them that Jesus loves them, whatever.  I LOVE what I do, but I had no idea what I was getting into :)  And then I have some semblance of a personal life outside of that to try and figure out too.  But today I don’t feel overwhelmed, even though there is just a lot going on.  I have been praying that I would be able to trust the Lord.  Just trust Him.  And rest in that.  He tells me to be strong and courageous, to not give up, to let Him walk with me, that He is preparing me.  Okay… I get it… today, I’ll try to rest.