5 Instructions for Courage to Overcome Fear
5 Instructions for Courage to Overcome Fear
“Courage doesn’t mean you never are afraid. It means you don’t let fear stop you— Courage is that attitude of mind and heart that enables us to face dangers, obstacles, and the challenges of a life fearlessly, firmly, and calmly.” – Charles Stanley.
Fear is an emotion that offers information, knowledge, and understanding. It is our responsibility to decide our response. Israel’s new leader Joshua responded to fear with courage to lead Israel into the promise land. After the death of Moses, Joshua took his place as the leader of Israel. Can you imagine the responsibility of leading from two to three million people into a new, unfamiliar land, to drive out the enemies and occupy the land? God was with Joshua and gave him instructions on being strong and courageous. Those instructions are also for each of us, who are in Christ the Lord, on how we also can succeed in our mission in life while overcoming all fear. The story of Joshua and God’s instructions to him is found in Joshua chapter one:
“There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.7Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. 8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest,” Joshua 1:1-9 (KJV).
God gave Joshua five conditions or instructions for overcoming fear with strength and courage for prosperity and success. We can also have victory over fear when we abide by those instructions:
- Listen to God: “The Lord spake unto Joshua,” Joshua 1:1. Jesus is waiting and knocking at the door of our heart; He wants to talk with us and have fellowship with us: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me,” Revelation 3:20 (KJV). God wants us to have His knowledge and be like Him; He is fearful of nothing: “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God,” Proverbs 2:1-5 (KJV).
- God will always be with us: “As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.” Joshua 1:5. When you feel all alone, remember that Jesus is right there with you. Jesus said, “…. Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world,” Matthew 28:20 (KJV). When God is with you, you are the majority: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Rom. 8:31 (KJV). Where ever we go, God is with us even when we are going through the valley of the shadow of death: “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage;be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest,”Joshua 1:9 (KJV).
- God’s command to be strong with Courage:Joshua 1:6, “Be strong and of a good courage: That thou mayest observe to do according to all the law That thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.” God does not expect us to be strong and courageous on our own but gives us His indwelling Holy Spirit to lead us through the pathway of life. He is our comforter and our strength during times of trouble. There is no greater power on earth than the power within every believer in Christ. That is why the Apostle Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me,” Philippians 4:13 (KJV). God has a plan for our life, and there is nothing on earth that can keep us from accomplishing His objective if we trust in Him.
- Keep God’s word close to your heart: “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth thou shalt meditate therein day and night. Then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” Joshua 1:8. The longest chapter in the Bible is about keeping God’s word close to our heart: “I will keep your word close, in my heart, so that I won’t sin against you. 12You, Lord, are to be blessed! Teach me your statutes. 13I will declare out loud all the rules you have spoken.14I rejoice in the content of your laws as if I were rejoicing over great wealth.15I will think about your precepts and examine all your paths. 16I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget what you have said. 17Be good to your servant so I can go on living and keeping your word. 18Open my eyes so I can examine the wonders of your Instruction,” Psalm 119:11:18 (KJV).
- Don’t be afraid or dismayed with the problems of life:” Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:” Joshua 1:9. There is nothing that we need to fear nor should we be dismayed because God stands ready to help us in all the events of life: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness,” Isaiah 41:10 (KJV).
Here is a word of wisdom to believers who are dedicated to serving the Lord: “Never look ahead to changes and challenges of this life in fear. Instead, as they arise look at them with the full assurance that God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. Hasn’t He kept you safe up to now? So, hold His loving hand tightly, and He will lead you safely through all things. And when you cannot stand, He will carry you in His arms.” – Francis de Sales. When people live in constant fear, whether from physical dangers in their environment or threats they perceive, they can experience negative impacts in all areas of their lives and even become incapacitated. [1}
The bottom line of the whole matter of overcoming fear is faith to see things God’s way instead of our way.
Conclusion:
We may think of many things to fear, but there is only one fundamental reason to fear: If we are unbelievers, we have every reason to fear and every reason to be downcast because, according to the Bible, hell is a real place reserved for unbelievers: Matthew 13:50 (KJV) – “And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Revelation 20:14 (KJV) – “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” 2 Thessalonians 1:9 (KJV) – “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” I realize that these are harsh words that most had rather not hear. Nevertheless, God wants us to know what lies ahead for those who reject His offer of eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ.
There is also only one reason for believers to be downcast, if we continue in sin after we become believers. Our present and eternal hope are in God because He wants to design a happy, peaceful life for us who trust Him completely. That does not mean that we won’t experience troubles. Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world,” John 16:33 (KJV). Not only did Jesus overcome troubles, and He had many more than you and I will ever have, He also overcame the world the root of problems and troubles. You and I, as believers, in him can also overcome the world because of his presence in our life.
Today, if you have not already, you can start a new life with Jesus as your helper and friend who will help you overcome the fears of this world. He also invites you to be part of His heavenly kingdom and have His gift of eternal life, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life,” John 3:16 (KJV). Today, would you like to have the assurance that when you die, you will go to heaven to be with God and His holy angels forever? If so, I want to show you the way from God’s word: CLICK HERE.
Endnote:
[1]www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/impact-fear-and-anxiety
Tags: fear; courage; faith; God; heaven; eternal life; forgiveness