“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

Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the decision to move forward despite the fear. God does not promise to remove all scary situations from your life, but He promises something better: He promises to be with you through every single one of them.

Fear is a liar that whispers terrible scenarios about your future and magnifies your problems until they look like giants. But God reminds Joshua, and He reminds us, that His presence is the antidote to fear. You can be strong and courageous not because you are capable, but because God is with you. He is the ultimate safety net. When you shift your focus from the size of your problem to the size of your God, courage begins to rise in your heart. You are never walking into a situation alone.

I remember being absolutely terrified to step into a new ministry role that required public speaking. I felt unqualified and exposed, and the fear was overwhelming, paralyzing even. But God’s call was clear. I clung to this verse in Joshua. Every time I stepped onto the stage, my knees knocked, but I whispered that You are with me. And every time, He showed up. Over time, the fear diminished, but the reliance on His presence remained.

What fear has been holding you back? Is it fear of failure or fear of man? Take one small step toward what God is calling you to do today, despite the fear. Do it afraid if you have to.

Lord, You have not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. Help me to be strong and courageous, knowing that You are always with me wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, Amen.