The Opposite of Fear(Less) [Todd]

While getting ready for the Fear(Less) series I have been reading Joshua a good bit. The first chapter sets the tone - as God's people gear up for a monster challenge following the death of their leader, God tells them again and again "Be strong and courageous".

Not once, but four times. Four times in sixteen verses.

That's once every four verses.

(Yes, that math skill clearly reveals that I am a graduate of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.)

Today, one aspect of that repetition struck me for the first time. In verse nine, God tells Joshua "Be strong and courageous - do not be afraid or discouraged". There in one sentence, God defines the opposites of strength and courage.

The opposite of strength is fear.
The opposite of courage is discouragement.

Fear and discouragement sap our energy, our passion, our commitment to a greater cause. They cause leaders to avoid making hard decisions. They keep us from pressing forward to new levels spiritually and relationally. They are godly-ambition killers.

Fear and discouragement are our enemies.

Are there places in your life - in these challenging days - where you are allowing fear and discouragement to affect your decisions and priorities? Places where you are retreating in the face of these enemies? Ways in which you need a new infusion of strength and courage?

We're going to speak to that head on in Fear(Less)...for now, as a taste, remember the conclusion of verse nine:

"For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go".

Knowing that, and knowing what to do with that, is everything!