New Year, New Possibilities 5

While living out this New year with the God at our forefront, nothing should distract us from our mission.  No matter the trial, no matter the enemy or temptation we should stand strong in the face of adversity. 

But let's be honest - who does that EVERY time?  Candidly, I don't know anyone that faces trials with perfect endurance. There is Jesus, however, and He is the perfect example of how to face trials.  None of us have reached His level of endurance.  Because worry, doubt, and frustration seem to be at every turn at certain times of our life, we need something that will help us to grit our teeth and bear the pain.

We need courage.   Dictionary.com defines courage as "the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc."

God commanded Joshua to have this character trait because he was going to need it to live out God's plan. 

Joshua 1:6a & 7a (NKJV)
^"6 Be strong and of good courage .....⁷ Only be strong and very courageous,"

Notice also that God repeated this exhortation several times (see also verse 9).  In the Bible, any time you see a word or phrase repeated, God is emphasizing something.  In this verse, God is emphasizing that fact that Joshua was to have courage if he was going to be victorious in this new journey.

You and I need courage because we will be afraid, scared, tired, lonely, angry, and frustrated at times.  These feelings are a reality that each of us face in life and without courage we will hide in the shadows.  If we only do what we feel like doing, nothing will ever get done.

Courage is the fuel that enables you and I to press through the overwhelming sense of fear we face.  Remember, we have a 100% guarantee will overcome.  All we have to do is continue doing God's will.

May we have this trait in abundant supply as we face this New Year!