WHEN LOVE GETS LOUDER — PART 6

Fear is part of being human, but it was never meant to tell us how to live. In this series, we'll look at the voice of fear while discovering again the Perfect Love that draws us toward Himself.

Courage Doesn't Mean I'm Not Afraid

Walking With Abba While Fear Is Still Talking

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Why We Need Courage

We wouldn't need courage if there weren't something to fear.

I think we sometimes miss that. We feel afraid and immediately assume we should be handling things better, trusting more, or somehow feeling differently.

Yet when God tells Joshua to be courageous, He isn't denying what Joshua is facing.

Moses is gone, an entire nation is looking to him, and what lies ahead is filled with uncertainty.

God doesn't shame his fear.

He gives Joshua the reason he can walk through it: “I will be with you wherever you go.”

Putting Courage Into Someone

That's what I love about encouragement.

Sometimes people don't need us to tell them how to fix what frightens them. They need someone beside them who sees the fear, understands why it's there, and gently reminds them of what fear can so easily make them forget.

You are not alone.

Abba is already here.

And you don't have to know how everything turns out before taking the next step.

While Fear Is Still Talking

Courage isn't waiting until fear becomes silent.

It's learning that another Voice is more trustworthy.

We can be afraid and still have the conversation. Afraid and still love. Afraid and still try again. Afraid and still take one more step.

That's courage.

Not pretending the fear isn't there, but trusting that Love is greater.

Take Heart

Jesus never promised us a life without things that frighten us. He said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

So if you're afraid today, please don't add shame to your fear.

Take heart.

You wouldn't need courage if you weren't afraid, and you wouldn't need encouragement if you were meant to walk through it alone.

Reflection

Where have I been judging myself for feeling afraid?

Who has helped put courage into me when I needed it?

Who might need me to walk beside them today?

Prayer

Abba Father, meet me tenderly in my fear and remind me that I never face it alone. Let Your Love fill my heart with courage for the next step. Amen.