“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 (ESV)
The traffic patterns were changing daily as construction continued on our local expressway. Traffic was moving freely on both sides, so it was odd to see a long line of vehicles on the on-ramp waiting to enter the traffic flow.
From my passenger seat, I searched for a reason for the backup.
A woman was slowly driving her car down the ramp. She then got to the end of the ramp where her lane opened onto the expressway, and she came to a complete stop. There didn’t appear to be anything wrong with her car. And it seemed as though she didn’t notice the blaring horns from the vehicles behind her.
She was paralyzed, unable to proceed with this new traffic pattern in front of her. The path she was on was surrounded by construction trucks, barrels, and repositioned lines, so she decided to stop — delaying everyone from reaching their destinations.
As we continued on our journey, I wondered how many people would be impacted by her fear and hesitation. Who might miss important moments because she refused to go forward? I also wondered how long it took her to gather the courage to move into the flow of traffic.
Seeing her unwillingness to proceed because of the confusing construction illustrated an important point: Second-guessing your decisions not only halts your progress but can also cause a ripple effect on others around you.
Yet God says in Joshua 1:9, “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.”
It’s such a relief to know that because God is with us, we can proceed with confidence toward our goals and destinations, even when life’s circumstances change.
Yes, the job loss, divorce papers, or strong-willed children may be unexpected and bring chaos into our journey, but they aren’t meant to completely stop us in our tracks. No matter what things look like, we can courageously face stressful situations and life’s alternative traffic patterns knowing God is right beside us.
Friend, don’t dread the changes, doubt your decisions, or fear the future. Instead proceed courageously. God’s with you in the rumbles, relationships, and risks, always ready to help you navigate the route on which He has placed you.
Dear God, guide my steps, and nudge me forward when I drag my feet, doubt my ability, or decide to stop along the way. Help me face each of life’s circumstances courageously today, knowing You’re with me wherever I go. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
If you’ve ever felt the Lord nudging you to share what you’ve been through but instantly thought, There’s no way or That feels impossible, this free resource from Lysa TerKeurst will meet you right where you are. “3 Lies That Keep You From Sharing Your Story (and God’s Truth To Replace Them)” will unearth what’s been holding you back and equip you with biblical reminders so you can confidently move forward with what God has called you to do. Get started here!
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John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (ESV).
Is there an area in your life where you feel stuck because the stress of the situation seems too great? How can you move forward, knowing God is with you wherever you go? Share your thoughts in our comments section!
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