*Be  Strong   and   Courageous*

Have   I   not   commanded   you? Be   strong   and   courageous.   Do   not   be   frightened,   and   do  not   be  dismayed,  for   the Lord  your  God  is  with  you wherever  you  go.  (Joshua  1:9)

Father,

So   often   I’m   fearful   of   moving   forward   into   the   areas   you   have   called   me.   I’m   afraid   of   what  might   happen,   of   what   I   might   lose,   of   the   discomfort   I   might   have   to   endure.   I’m   afraid   of  the   future,   afraid   of the   past,   afraid   of   failure,   afraid   of   what   others   will   think.   I   don’t   like   to  move   out   of   my   comfort   zone.   I   don’t   like   to   move   beyond   my   familiar   borders.   Yet   I   know  that   you   often   do   great   things   when   I   move   out   of   my   comfort   zone   and am   forced   to   rely   on  you. When   I   am   stripped   of   my   strength   is   when   your   glory   shines   through   most   clearly. When   I   am   completely   dependent   on   grace   is   when you   move   most   powerfully   through   me.  You   strip   me   of my  own  strength  so  that   I   can   only   attribute   success   to you.

Help   me   to   be   strong   and   courageous   in   the   face   of   uncertainty.   In   the   face   of   trials.   In   the  face   of   spiritual attack.   In   the   face   of   discouragement.   In   the   face   of   financial   woes.   In   the  face of   physical   brokenness.   Help me   to   be   strong   and   courageous!   Your   character   and   your  promises   give   me   every   reason   to   be   strong   and   courageous.   When   I   feel fear   surging   within  me,   help me   to   remember   your   unshakeable   promises.   When   I   feel   uncertainty   rising   within  me,   fix   my   gaze   on   your   faithfulness.   Keep   my   eyes   fixed   firmly   on   you,   rather   than   on   the  stormy   waves   that   threaten   to   wash over   me.

You   have   promised   to   be   with   me   wherever   I   go,   therefore   I   will   not   be   dismayed.   You   have  promised to   accompany   me   To the   gloomy   depths, and to   the   glorious   heights, therefore   I   will  not   fear.   I   cannot   escape from   your   wonderful   presence.   It   lifts   me,   strengthens   me,   pushes  me forward,   holds   me   back, refreshes   me,   convicts   me,   and   keeps   me.   *Your   presence   dispels  darkness   and   fear.   Your   presence   drives   back   Satanic   gloom.   If you   are   for   me,   and   with   me,  and   behind   me,   and   ahead   of   me,   who   or what can   stop   me?   If   your   mighty presence always surrounds   me, why would  I be  afraid?*

*You   are   the   one   true   God, and   you   are   my   God.   The   creator   of   the   universe   is   on my   side.   If  God  is   for   me,  who  can  be  against   me?*