UnshakeableSample

Crippled by Fear of the Unknown?

Have you ever gone somewhere new and felt excited, yet anxious at the same time? Recently, my wife and I took our daughter to New Orleans for dinner. She knew of a cool, new restaurant we were all excited to enjoy, but anxious because it’s hard to get a reservation. We made the reservation, but needed to show up at a different time… and parking was a nightmare. After a wild ride of anxiety and excitement mixed together, we made it to dinner!

Maybe recently you’ve felt anxious because of a new environment or challenge. Perhaps you’re in an intense season of uncertainty and feel surrounded by the unknown. Throughout Scripture and in my own life, I’ve discovered that God often brings us to a place where we have to be courageous and step out by faith into the unknown.

The life of Joshua in the Old Testament is one of the clearest pictures of this type of stepping out in faith. In Joshua 1:2, God says to Joshua, “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel.”

You see, Joshua served in the shadow of Moses for decades and found himself at a critical juncture—God had called him to lead Israel into the Promised Land. Joshua needed courage from God to move forward. Courage is a quality of mind or spirit that enables us to meet danger, opposition, or the challenges of life with calmness and firmness.

Having courage is not being absent of fear—it’s quite the opposite. Courage is having peace amidst times of fear and uncertainty. Although we may feel afraid at times, we should never let fear control us. God is saying, “I’m with you, and I’ll give you the courage to accomplish all I’ve called you to do.”

Friend, even if like Joshua you feel afraid, you can step out in confidence through God’s power and Word!

As you engage with God’s Word:

● What is God saying to me?

● What does it mean to me?

● How can I apply what God is teaching me?

● How can I be specific in prayer today?

After you reflect on these questions, bring everything to God in prayer.