[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":61},["ShallowReactive",2],{"\u002Fdevotions\u002Fbe-strong-and-courageous":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"author":6,"body":7,"date":45,"description":13,"extension":46,"featured":47,"image":48,"meta":49,"navigation":50,"path":51,"scripture":52,"scriptureText":53,"seo":54,"stem":55,"tags":56,"__hash__":60},"devotions\u002Fdevotions\u002Fbe-strong-and-courageous.md","Be Strong and Courageous","Christy Morrow",{"type":8,"value":9,"toc":41},"minimark",[10,14,17,20,23,29,32,35,38],[11,12,13],"p",{},"Do you feel that you are supposed to do something? Do you feel God is calling you to do something and you are afraid? God encourages us throughout the Bible to not be be afraid.",[11,15,16],{},"God was speaking to Joshua who was about to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. They were going to be up against many foes. They were going where they had never been before. They had to feel fear and anxiety. God tells them not to feel that way. Why? Because He would be with them wherever they went. It can be hard to push past that fear and anxiety. We feel that we alone have to handle things. God assured us that he is with us wherever we go. We are never alone. We don't have to handle anything by ourselves.",[11,18,19],{},"The message on my desk calendar for today says: \"Over and Over I hear Jesus whispering, \"Do it afraid! Push past the fear. Overcome the anxiety! I'm here. I'll hold your hand. I will catch you if you fall.\" —Keri Lynn\" This reminds me of when I was learning to jump off the diving board at the neighborhood pool. The diving board was higher than average diving boards. My babysitter had two younger sisters that made it their mission to help me do it. I was scared to death! First, one of them held me on their hip and we jumped in. Then, we were side by side. Then, they wanted me to jump to them. Then, I finally jumped in by myself! I did it! They were with me every step of the way. Just like God is with us every step of our way with what he has called us to do. If he has called you to do something, he will be with you and enable you to do it.",[11,21,22],{},"Throughout scripture, we are encouraged to be bold;not be afraid; do not fear.",[24,25,26],"blockquote",{},[11,27,28],{},"Proverbs 28:1b says: \"...but the righteous are as bold as a lion.\"",[11,30,31],{},"When we accept God's freely given gift of salvation, we are then considered righteous. I don't know about you, but I don't feel bold as a lion! But God calls the righteous bold as a lion. We can have that boldness even if we feel anxious and fearful. We can \"do it afraid!\" How? Because God is with us!",[11,33,34],{},"There is a song that we sing in church that says: \"You are good when my fear is crippling.\" Do you ever feel that way? Fear though it is often times not real can be crippling. It can paralyze you. It makes me freeze. You've heard of fight or flight? They've amended it to \"fight, flight, or freeze. So what can you do if you are feeling that extreme fear? Psalm 138:3 says: \"When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.\" If you are feeling fear, call out to God to help you. When you do, he will make you bold and stouthearted. It's not up to you to generate it yourself.",[11,36,37],{},"When God makes you bold and stouthearted, then you can do what he is calling you to do. In Acts 4:29b it says: \"...enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.\" This was Peter speaking this when the early church was under great threat. He prayed to God to help them all speak with boldness. God helped them to do so. The gospel spread because of their boldness that God enabled them to have. God always comes through.",[11,39,40],{},"Whatever God is calling you to do, he is with you. He will provide for you. Call out to him. He will make you bold and stouthearted.",{"title":42,"searchDepth":43,"depth":43,"links":44},"",2,[],"2025-11-20","md",false,"\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fbeach-boat.jpg",{},true,"\u002Fdevotions\u002Fbe-strong-and-courageous","Joshua 1:9","Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.",{"title":5,"description":13},"devotions\u002Fbe-strong-and-courageous",[57,58,59],"courage","strength","faith","k_5KNmv45nun4Feko8D9nEgNZ4tUnBRx6LkFO_ZoV78",1782405175011]