Be Strong and Courageous

Throughout our lives, we are faced with many trials.  We experience sorrow, stress, anger, depression, and many other feelings that come with difficult situations.  Personally, I have found that it is so much easier to simply turn to worldly things for comfort.  Whether it is anything from Netflix to sleeping in, somehow I believed these so called “comforts” would cure any heartache I came across.  They were effortless ways to get my mind off whatever was troubling me at the time, yet in the end I still felt as if the issue was on replay in my head.  I needed and wanted a better way to deal with hard times.  I was tired of turning to temporary comforts (referring back to Netflix and sleeping in) that never seemed to actually help.

            And that’s when it hit me.

            I suddenly realized all this time that I had been turning to numerous worldly things in search of peace and strength, when the true source of comfort is The Lord.  Sure, it sounds as if that should have been blatantly obvious to me.  However, I feel as if it is something many individuals struggle with.  As humans, we tend to turn to earthly possessions to relieve us of problems we face in life.  We want things that we can have right in front of us and that we can physically see. 

            But here’s the thing.  No matter where we go, we always have God right beside us, above us, and around us.  He is there to provide us with peace, joy, and strength during our lowest times.  And while I suppose “technically” speaking, people say we can not see God, I find so many things that have Him all over.  When an individual can stay positive while struggling financially, I see God and the strength he is able to provide.  When family members are able to reminisce about memories after the loss of a loved one, I see God right in the middle of them all.  When a cancer patient battles their sickness with a great amount of hope, I see God and how we can trust Him throughout anything and everything.  Our Lord is the supplier of unfailing hope, strength, and peace.  No matter what the situation, He is willing to be our refuge throughout all storms in our lives.  He can give us courage, if we ask Him, to face our fears.  He listens when we talk to Him; actually, He loves when we come to him with our life struggles.

            So, what worldly object can do all of those things?  Not a single one.  Try all you want, but there will never be anything that can replace The Lord and the never ending amazing miracles he performs. 

Here are some Bible verses that go along with the devotional:

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.”

Psalm 121:1 “I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?  My help comes from The Lord – the maker of heaven and earth.”

Nehemiah 8:10 “…Do not grieve, for the joy of The Lord is your strength.”