Brave Enough?

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

JOSHUA 1:9

HAVE YOU EVER FACED a situation where you weren’t sure things would work out okay? Maybe you went whitewater rafting or you were up to bat for the first time or you went on a roller coaster that looked terrifying. Maybe you had to get a medical treatment or go to a funeral.

Being brave can be hard. Sometimes we think we just don’t have what it takes. We worry about failure, embarrassment, pain, and even worse things happening. We wonder, What if I can’t do it?

Bravery happens when we try. Even if we’re not convinced we can do something, the act of trying is what makes us brave. We may not always be successful—but success doesn’t make us brave. And God sticks with us whether we’re successful or not because he gives us the strength to try.

So guess what? When the Bible talks about being strong—it’s talking about you! You’re on God’s team, and when you rely on him for the strength to be brave, you’ll come out on top.

DO

Ask the people in your house or friends to tell you about a time when they were brave. What happened? What were they afraid would happen? Then tell them about a time you were brave with God’s help.

PRAY

Dear God,

Jesus is the bravest of all. Thank you for sending him to bravely face the punishment for all our sins. Please help me remember that I am brave when I try, and you’ll always be with me to make me stronger. Amen.

READ

Psalm 112:7; Ephesians 6:10-13