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

Years ago I struggled with fear. This was a relatively new emotion for a girl who raced headlong down the stairs on my belly at the age of two. My mother ran into the hallway to find me giggling triumphantly as I had just experienced the greatest thrill of my life. At twenty-one, I jumped off a railroad bridge into any icy cold river, and when my parents moved back east, I chose to remain in Texas alone.

So when fear began to push in, I didn’t know how to deal with it. The fear would rise and I would panic. Seemingly small mishaps became larger than life, and sometimes breathing felt impossible.

I heard recently that there was a possible child predator in our neighborhood. This opened the door for fear to come rushing back. My mind was consumed with fear for my only child, and because of this, it was now open season for the enemy. I became convinced that I was one pesticide laden piece of fruit away from terminal illness, and if I just worried enough about it first, I couldn’t be taken by surprise.

Fear makes us look at our circumstances irrationally. It makes us play right into the hands of the enemy as we become aware of our vulnerability. It paralyzes us.

After God delivered the Israelites out of Egypt, twelve men were sent to scout the Promised Land and return with a report. Only two remained faithful. While the others were terrified of the people they saw, Joshua and Caleb alone were convinced they would be successful if they had God’s favor.

The people refused to relent and were doomed to wander until the demise of an entire unbelieving generation. These people had witnessed God’s faithfulness as He delivered them out of Egypt. But only two were allowed to see the land flowing with milk and honey because of their faith. Only Joshua and Caleb.

Joshua and Caleb refused to be persuaded by what they saw in the world. They were convinced that they could be delivered into their inheritance by a mighty God. They refused to be held captive by their fear. Joshua believed they could take the land, and he was the man who would ultimately lead them into it.

As I wrestled with this resurgence of fear, I came to two realizations. First, how can I possibly not trust God with my tomorrow, but be willing to trust Him with my eternity? Second, this fear is fuel for an enemy Christ has already defeated. How could I possibly give that much of myself to the one who wants nothing more than my total destruction?

God told Joshua more than once to be courageous. God led Joshua to his destiny, and He will do the same for us. We are not guaranteed freedom from adversity, but we are guaranteed not to face that adversity alone.

Fear says, “I can’t.” Faith says, “He can.”

We must praise Him and thank Him when we feel fear gripping our hearts. He is the answer to overcoming anything in the world that the enemy would use to destroy us. The light always chases away the darkness.

Give it up sister.