Changes in our lives, new opportunities, and invitations to move outside our comfort zones naturally bring some forms of anxiety and fear. We are people who like comfort and normal for our lives. Even if there is something we can experience that will be overall better for our lives, we tend to remain in comfort. When we feel we have some level of control in the situation, we may be willing to move toward the change or newness; whereas, when the situation is forced upon us, we tend to experience a greater level of discomfort.
In last week’s devotion, we talked about the disciples seeking stability amid the death and resurrection of Jesus. They were out of sorts and could not see toward the future. They were thinking, “What do we do now?”
After the death of Moses, Joshua faced similar emotions as he was placed in leadership over the Israelite people who had been traveling for forty years to the Promised Land. Joshua knew the people were a stiff-necked people and he, as one of two spies who brought a compelling, positive message of being able to overcome the Canaanites and yet was ignored, knew most of the people were easily swayed when uncertainty was involved. As Joshua was placed in leadership, the Lord spoke to Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? 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).
Courage is the key to overcoming fear. In a small group of youth, I was discussing courage with them. One of the young men defined the opposite of courage as “cowardice.” I was caught off guard because I expected the youth’s answer would be “fear.” I asked for further conversation and one of the young ladies stated, “Fear is found in all situations. Courage overcomes the fear, while cowardice bends to the fear.” It is true. We face fear either with courage to overcome the fear or we give into the fear, allowing it to control our lives.
In The Christ of Every Road: A Study in Pentecost, E. Stanley Jones writes, “Again and again I have said that if I had one gift to give to myself and to the church, I would give the gift of courage…I have come to believe that courage is a by-product of something deeper. The reason we fear is that we haven’t sufficient inner resources to meet life. Life with its demands is too great for us. We lose our moral nerve. It is useless to try to get rid of that fear by saying there is nothing to be afraid of” (43).
Brother Stanley continues as he once again references the disciples behind closed doors: “There was only one way to get them out and that was to raise the tone of the inner life so that they were inwardly a match for outer circumstances. Pentecost gave them that inner adequacy” (44).
Courage is not conjured up from our own power. Courage is truly a gift of the Holy Spirit active in our lives. When we try to overcome our fear alone and in our own power, we will continue to battle the fear. When the Holy Spirit gives us the inner adequacy to defeat the outer circumstances, giving us a new worldview and perspective on the situation, the battle will be won, and the enemy of overwhelming fear will be defeated.
As we continue our journey toward Pentecost, I invite you to share with God in prayer your fears and those areas of your life where you need courage. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you the inner adequacy to face the outer circumstances.
Prayer: Lord, when I experience fear, I pray you will give me courage to face the fear. I no longer want to live in cowardice. I want to be strong and courageous. In Jesus’ name. Amen.