Day 6: Courage to Move Ahead

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9

One of the most important mindsets we must adopt when we transition from one season to the next is a forward-focused mindset. This is a mindset that looks to the future and does not consider the hindrances of the past but rather moves past them. It is one that is intent on seeing the future and laying hold of God’s current emphasis.

A necessary ingredient for this mindset is courage; what I like to call the vitamin C of being a Christian. Courage is often described as a “mental or moral ability to persevere and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” As a believer, though, this ability is not cerebral, nor is it based on our own will power, rather it is an inner strength (see Ephesians 3:16) given to us by the Spirit of God, which causes us to act in obedience to God's will regardless of the conditions we may be faced with. Being a Christian does not mean we will not face difficulties or challenges; rather, we are equipped to go through and overcome them.

In the book of Joshua, we see that after Moses had died and the children of Israel were in transition, the Lord told Joshua to be strong and courageous as this was required to move ahead. Moving forward, often requires courage. If we do not move forward, we will stay stuck, and this can be detrimental to our destiny, whether or not the previous season was a favorable one.

One story I love in the Word of God that really inspires me about courage is that of the daughters of the Zelophehad. I particularly love this story because there are many angles and elements we can learn from, but what I really value is the courage these women demonstrated. The story is found in Numbers 27:1-11 and speaks of five daughters of Zelophehad who challenged the status quo about inheritance law in Israel. Prior to their intervention, females were not allowed to inherit land, but they challenged this and when Moses inquired of the Lord, he was told that the daughters were correct. This action led to a change in the law, not just for them but for generations to come. Can you just imagine the audacity they would have needed to do this? Especially in the day they lived in. They were courageous.

Are you lacking the courage needed to confront the future and move forward? Are you facing constant cycles of defeat and disappointment? Courage simply means you have the power to do difficult things. It is a strength from within that has the ability to overcome even in the face of adversity and this is something that has been given to you as a child of God. Like Joshua and Zelophehad’s daughters, you need to realize that as one who has surrendered to God, you are backed by Him even if what is ahead seems difficult and uncomfortable.

The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Be strong and courageous,’ knowing that the journey ahead was tough, and there was fear in the land. God had given Him the transforming power to overcome. In this season, I pray you receive the power to move ahead, the power to navigate your transitions and move seamlessly into the next season with even more courage.