{"id":15134,"date":"2026-08-10T03:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/?p=15134"},"modified":"2026-06-05T07:06:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T12:06:14","slug":"strong-and-courageous-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/index.php\/2026\/08\/10\/strong-and-courageous-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Strong and Courageous"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Two-minute read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kayaking on the ocean intimidated me. But one Saturday, with a friend, we went on a guided tour of the beach in a tandem kayak. After receiving instructions from our guide, we boarded our two-person craft and began paddling through the inlet, out onto the vast blue ocean. Facing my fear with a friend made it easier to overcome. Knowing I didn\u2019t paddle alone, but with someone, made all the difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Moses died, Joshua became the leader of the Israelites, tasked with leading them into the Promised Land. At this pivotal moment in the leader\u2019s life, facing an overwhelming mission with battles to fight and obstacles to overcome that went far beyond Joshua\u2019s abilities, the Lord gives him a message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God didn\u2019t tell Joshua to \u201cbe courageous\u201d because he had an easy journey ahead. The Lord told him to \u201cbe courageous\u201d because God went with him. Instead of self-confidence, Joshua had God-confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What applied to Joshua applies to us. We all face situations that make us nervous: new opportunities, uncertain futures, difficult conversations, health challenges, or unexpected changes. God doesn\u2019t promise we won\u2019t encounter fear, but that we never face it alone. The Lord\u2019s presence travels with us into every unknown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When fear whispers, \u201cYou can\u2019t do this,\u201d God responds, \u201cI am with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paddling out onto the ocean that long-ago day, I couldn\u2019t help but feel its vastness. The waves created resistance against the paddle as I repeatedly plunged it into the water, one side after the other. But my companion’s presence never changed; together we conquered the swells and enjoyed the adventure on the endless sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In much the same way, life\u2019s uncertainties can feel like an endless sea. But God promises to walk beside us. We can move forward with courage because we have God-confidence, share the adventure, and trust Him to lead the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Journal Questions:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n