Be Strong and Courageous
Volleyball season kicked off the other week, and with the start of a new season came a whole lot of nerves. The night before my daughter’s first game, I was praying for her and thinking about what I wanted to say to her before she stepped onto the court.
Proverbs 3:5-6 is usually my go-to verse. I’ve told my girls this verse more times than I can count. But as I thought about telling my daughter to trust in the Lord and not lean on her own understanding, I could already picture the eye roll and hear the “Mom…” that would follow.
Then Joshua popped into my mind. “Be strong and courageous.” That seemed a little more like her.
So that night, as we were doing our get-ready-for-bed chat, I told her, “This is your verse. Be strong and courageous.” I didn’t give her the whole passage or explain why I had picked it. I just wanted her to have those words in her head when she walked onto the court.
One of her teammates has a ring of prayer cards for athletes attached to her backpack. I had encouraged my daughter to ask her teammate about the prayer before each game, so she could be focused on the bigger picture rather than on her nerves.
As I dropped her off for that first game, I said, “Wouldn’t it be cool if the prayer was ‘Be strong and courageous’?”
The nerves were pretty obvious that night. It was the first game of the season, and I think every player on the court was feeling them.
My daughter made it through her first game, and the next day when I picked her up after practice, she told me something. Her verse was on the backpack. The prayer card on her teammate’s backpack said, “Be strong and courageous.”
Of course, I had no idea what was on those cards. I just prayed for her the night before, had Joshua 1 come to mind, and then encouraged her to ask her teammate about those prayer cards. Coincidence? I don't think so. I think God knew exactly what she needed before she stepped onto that court.
I have prayed for God to take away the things that make me nervous. I want Him to make the situation easier, give me confidence, or take away that uneasy feeling. But God doesn't always remove the nerves. Instead, He tells us that we don't have to face them alone.
The verse I had given my daughter came from Joshua 1:9: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
The command to be strong and courageous wasn't because Joshua had nothing to be afraid of. He had plenty of reasons to be nervous about what was ahead. His courage came from knowing God was going with him.
Whatever is making you nervous right now, God already knows about it. You don't have to figure it all out and become fake brave. He is with you. Be strong and courageous.
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About Make Monday Matter
Make Monday Matter is my weekly Christian devotional where I share reflections on faith, running, and the small ways God shows up in everyday life.
Maybe this word from the LORD is also for you, as you accepted an invitation for a speaking engagement. He is preparing the way for you!!!