Be Strong and of Good Courage

Everyday it is so easy to coast through the day with out really facing the thoughts we have stored neatly in the back of our minds. How easy it is to file them away and allow them to collect dust as we constantly create more and more files. These files continue to accumulate and the information inside holds the identity and purpose of our lives. And yet, there they sit day after day.

What if, instead, each morning we decided to wake up and pull out each file one by one and meditate on them? What if we began to sort through files and make sure the content has been dealt with in the proper manner. Sort out the trash, fix the mistakes, study and learn how to make it a part of everyday life, or simply REMEMBER the greatness, and make sure every necessary step has been taken to write it off as complete. What if we made time every day to purposefully face each file, each situation, each thought?!

The key always seems to revert back to discipline...is it worth putting in the time to see the outcome you desire? Are you willing to spend the time in prayer, fasting or studying the word to see every area of your life become healthy and balanced? Are you willing to give the immediate gratifications in order to become long lasting, rooted and grounded in Him? Are you willing to do what He asks in order to have what He has promised? Of course our immediate response is yes, but the actions that follow generally say that we are only willing to do just enough to be satisfied in the present instead sticking it out in order to receive the abundant over flowing life God promised (John 10:10).

All these thoughts lead me to one question I have never taken the time to ask myself, "Why does thinking/meditating about something difficult, hurtful, or confusing in our lives have to be a bad thing that we avoid at all costs?" Some avoid it with a substance, some with the business of the day, and others by constant empty relationships. Why can't we look at those files presumed "bad" and say "challenge accepted!" Let it be something we analyze, think about, and figure out with Christ, and do whatever it takes to make sure it gets fixed? We waste so much time (hours, weeks, years) trying hide and run from those thoughts instead of purposefully selecting the file and deciding the time is NOW!

We could climb the mountain that stands before us so much faster if we would quit acting as if it does not exist and quit trying to find another pathway. We have simply been asked to "Go This Way,"...not to the right nor to the left but up (Josh. 1:8). Not just asked, but commanded and yet we continuously seek another alternative. Imagine how far you would be if you continued to go up further instead of making an excuse as to why you should come back down! You don't come down because a friend has not followed behind. You don't come down because you don't know where the path will end. You don't come down because you are scared of what me be just around the corner. No! You press forward regardless of what the narrow path (Matt 7:14) looks like. You push towards the top regardless of what that path way may make you face (forgiveness, humility, family issues, brokenness, etc.) instead of pretending that it was never there.

Why is it so bad to do this? God reminded Joshua three times to "Be strong and of good courage." (Josh 1:5-9) Reminded would not be the proper term. God commanded Joshua! "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for The Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (v9) God has commanded us to quit being afraid of the mountains and face them with HIS strength and HIS courage every day, every hour, every minute! It is time we fight for the abundant life God promised us and make the decision that we want a life of more than enough and to "Go This Way." Every movement and decision is based on following Him even if it takes persistence (Luke 11:8).

I challenge you to face ever thought you have ever hidden from. Yes, it may be hard and it will most likely hurt, but do not let the fear of "what might" happen in facing the thought keep you from ever overcoming the mountain that thought has become. Be strong and of good courage and to fully trust the partnership you have with Him. Remember Joshua 1:5, "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will NOT leave you nor forsake you."