FROM BEREAVEMENT TO BECOMING: A POSTURE TO MAINTAIN

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

REFERENCE
Joshua 1:1-9

To wrap up this series, “From Bereavement to Becoming,” let’s examine the last instruction God gave Joshua to help him move on with his life after the death of his mentor, Moses. As can be seen from the text, God instructed Joshua to be strong and courageous, not to be afraid or dismayed. In other words, God told him to maintain a posture of ‘courage’ which means, mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. Joshua had to be brave and face the next phase of his life with a go-getter attitude.

Why did God instruct Joshua to be courageous? Because Moses represented support, safety, stability and guidance to Joshua; all this ended with Moses’ death. For this reason, Joshua must have had to deal with a lot of uncertainty and fear. So, God told him to be courageous because courage is the opposite of fear. Furthermore, God didn’t just command him not to fear, He gave him a reason to be courageous by telling him, “For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” That was the trump card…the joker. The presence of God was all the courage and support Joshua needed to lean on and move on with his life to greater heights after his loss.

In the same way, maintaining a posture of courage will help you move on after bereavement to becoming something great in life. You may have lost money in an investment or a key player in your support system (maybe a spouse, sibling, friend, mentor or a colleague) and you are afraid to venture because there is no one else you can lean on who can quite spur you on. However, you must realize that God is the greatest support you can ever have; He is with you wherever you go, that should be your greatest confidence booster.

Paul said, “If God be for us, who can be against us.” Despite his chains and imprisonment, he had confidence that everything will turn out for his deliverance. He never lost his courage to continue in the things God called him to do even when he lost his freedom; he deliberately maintained a posture of courage through his sufferings, and that helped him complete his race on earth victoriously. (Philippians 1:12-20).  Don’t let the devil rob you of your courage and thus, your ability to move on with your life because of a loss. Stay ‘en-couraged,’ be bold and positive, God will ensure that your courage, in spite of your loss will lead to success in every sphere of your life, in Jesus name.

I end with this quote by Brian Houston, “You must also embrace the present and realize that you can’t change the past. You must move forward with courage, not rushing things, but not staying fixated on whatever trauma has occurred.” I see you rising from your bereavement and becoming the best you!

SCRIPTURE PHOTO

ADDITIONAL STUDY
Psalm 31:24, Isaiah 41:10 (ESV), & Philippians 4:13

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, I ask and receive grace to maintain a posture of courage for victorious everyday living. Thank You for being my greatest support; with you on my side, I commit to leave the past behind and embrace the glorious future available to me in Jesus’ name.