"Be Strong and Very Courageous!"

March 1,2018

You are more than well able to do what God commands you to do…

Earlier this year, as I was creating my goals/vision board for the year. There was one particular goal I dreaded on putting on list. After carefully praying, I knew that I had to write this particular goal down. You see, the reason why I was hesitant in listing this goal. This goal I’ve listed for several years now and every time I listed it or thought about it. I get some type of anxiety flare up inside of me. I had tried on completing this goal before and I never seem to succeed. It is my state board exam for licensure. This goal has cost me a lot of money and a lot of sacrifice of time. And to tell you the truth the past few years, I’ve listed it on my goals journal but haven’t really work on it. Mainly, because of past failure and not really having motivation to do it. But, I knew this was a goal that was beyond me.

I knew it was God because not even a week after listing this goal in my journal. Out of nowhere a family member gave me a check to pay for the examination fees. I was amazed and knew God gave me the confirmation that this year was the year.

Several months have passed and I still have not cash the check or even paid for the exam. I was procrastinating and avoiding it. The bottom line was; I was afraid. Yes, when I would think about it or just paying for the exam I felt the uneasiness and tension in my body that I just stop thinking about it. Because of my past failure, it allowed me to stay in this rut or bondage. But it wasn’t until one day God literally sent me an angel when I mean an angel someone that I’ve never talk to before, someone from a different state. We got connected online. The way we got connected was we were both apart of this study group online. She posted that she had past her exam and was giving tips on what she did. We ended up exchanging number and she called me on the phone. The phone conversation that was supposed to be on tips. It was divine appointment. She encouraged, empowered and motivated me to stay the course and don’t give up. So much faith arose in me during the call. At the end, of the conversation she said “Hey text when you set the date for the exam.” I felt a knot in my stomach as she said it. I knew this was something I needed to do. As I hung up, without even thinking I went online and schedule the exam. I felt liberating and free.

After several months, on sitting and procrastinating I kicked fear in the behind. But, I knew it took God several times to let me know to be strong and courageous…

God reminded me of Joshua, Joshua was Moses assistant for the 40 years. Moses had recently died and God approach Joshua to say, you are next in line to lead the children of Israel to the promise land. Joshua new his abilities and God knew his potential. Joshua limited himself to just an assistant but God qualified him to be the next leader to carry out this great task. God trusted Joshua, but Joshua had fear. Joshua only looked at his humanly strength instead of looking at God’s strength in him. Joshua said to himself, I will be in charge of one to two million people and lead them over the Jordan River-no small challenge for starters…huh. What I like about God, He knows our weakness and he responds accordingly. As soon as God recognized Joshua’s fear, He said to him in Joshua 1: 6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.”

God comes again and repeat Himself, He emphasized certain words because He wanted to empower Joshua. So, in verse 7 it says: “Be strong and VERT courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.”

Not only did God reminded Joshua to be strong and courageous this time He said be VERY courageous. He then tells Joshua about the promises He will endure once he obeys.

What I like about God, He loves his children regardless of his weakness because again in verse 9 God stated again…” Have not I commanded you? BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. God was speaking strength and courage into Joshua’s life. Joshua was feeling inadequate because of the task before him. Fear was trying to rob Joshua in fulfilling his potential. After Joshua hear God, he gained the courage and was strengthened by it. Joshua was able to tackle whatever was before him with confidence and strength.

God first began encouraging Joshua in Deuteronomy to “Be strong and courageous and not to be afraid. God knew the task to which He had for Joshua was bigger than what he can handle. God knew that Joshua could not handle it on his own humanly strength. He wanted Joshua to relay on him.

In conclusion, I thank God because He knows me and He knows what lies ahead of me. He also knows you too. God will repeat himself over and over to you. “Do not be afraid. Be strong. Be courageous.” God knows our human weakness and He knows our potential. God will pour His strength upon us to fulfill the God given assignment. My question to you is what has God ask you to do that you have been putting off or what is the assignment He has given to you complete and you have not started. I want to challenge you to “Be strong and courageous…Be strong and very courageous. Do not be frightened or dismayed.” I tell you, fear got me nowhere earlier this year but as soon as I kicked fear in the behind God gave me confidence and strength to conquer the task ahead. When I am strong and courageous even in the midst of my challenges it’s an expression of faith. God knows what I can manage and He wants us to live by faith and not fear because He promises to be with us during those major tasks and assignment. I now have a date set for my licensure exam and am speaking it that I will pass my exam…because God is with me I will conquer this.

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” ~ Deuteronomy 31:8

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