“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

I was getting so tired of change.

For several years, I waded through a variety of transitions and was forced to start over again and again.

Navigating divorce. Becoming single. Financially starting from scratch. Re-entering the workforce. Experiencing changes in friendships. Becoming an empty nester. Celebrating milestone birthdays. Becoming a mother-in-law twice. Downsizing to a new home after 25 years.

Each season and brand-new phase of life ushered in a lot of change and an array of tangled-up emotions. I felt perpetually stuck in uncharted territory in the landscape of my life.

Standing at the threshold of new beginnings can feel daunting, but one sure thing about life is that it is constantly changing. And as Christians, we are called to embrace change and new beginnings with courage and confidence.

In the book of Joshua, we see a powerful example of someone embracing new beginnings by faith. After the death of Moses, God appointed Joshua to lead the Israelites into the promised land. This was a monumental, challenging task filled with uncertainty.

Yet God spoke directly to Joshua: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

Imagine the weight of responsibility Joshua must have felt. But instead of succumbing to fear or doubt and refusing to move forward, he chose to trust God and boldly step out in faith, into the unknown.

Joshua tapped into God-fueled courage, embraced the opportunity for a new beginning, and trusted God’s promises of protection and provision.

Likewise, God calls us to have courage and embrace new beginnings with confidence in Him, especially when those new beginnings feel heavy or scary. He calls us to let go of what once was and forge ahead with optimism and excitement for what He has in store.

Whether we're stepping into a new season of life, pursuing a big dream or calling, or starting a new career or family, we can move forward knowing He is our strength in times of weakness, our comfort in times of fear, and our guide in seasons of uncertainty.

As we reflect on Joshua 1:9, let’s be reminded of God’s faithfulness and His promise never to leave us or forsake us. Let’s embrace our new beginnings with courage and confidence, believing that with God by our side, we can accomplish anything He calls us to do.

Change can be hard, but it can also be good. With the right attitude, strong faith, and willingness to set goals for our next steps, we’ll soon realize we aren’t starting over after all. We’re simply continuing to trust God where He has placed us.

Lord, help me to embrace my new beginnings with faith-inspired courage and to confidently move forward in this new phase of life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Tracie Miles’ new book, God’s Got You: Embracing New Beginnings with Courage and Confidence, releases today! If you’re stepping into a new phase of life and need tips and motivation to fuel your confidence and courage, purchase your copy today! With every purchase, you’ll receive three free gifts, including a digital Step Into Your New Beginnings Workbook, downloadable prayer cards to encourage you on those days when you’re feeling frustrated, and beautifully designed screen savers with motivational quotes to help keep you inspired.

We’re celebrating SIX years of The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast! Created to provide biblical Truth for any girl in any season, our podcast has crossed over 26 million downloads since 2018. With episodes on leadership, spiritual growth, navigating hard seasons, theology and more, we’ve created a space for you to learn from people who have been there or are there now. Whether you’re driving to work, shuffling kids around or cleaning your house, listen to a recent episode here!

ENGAGE

Visit Tracie’s blog for more encouragement on starting anew, and enter to win one of five signed book bundles, which include God’s Got You as well as Tracie's popular book Love Life Again: Finding Joy When Life Is Hard! As a subscriber to her blog, you’ll also receive her encouraging free resource “10 Tips for Handling Change Well in Your New Season.”

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FOR DEEPER STUDY

Psalm 23:4, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me” (NLT).

Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong” (CEV).

What new season are you facing today that makes you feel like you’re starting over again? How might tapping into God-fueled courage and confidence transform your perspective and inspire you to start taking that first step toward your goals? Share with us in the comments.

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