How to Overcome Dismay

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.” (ESV)

When circumstances conspire against us to produce one of those perfect storms that threatens to destroy us, it’s almost as though our emotions team up with them to make things even worse. Have you noticed?

God has quite the sense of humour. The morning I was preparing this message I was confronted by a dire issue that threatened our ministry. And just like you, my emotions made things seem even worse.

I’m the leader. I’m the guy people look to when things are tough. I’m the one guy who can’t be wobbly in his faith. No pressure! But, you see, I’ve been here before. And my go-to verse of Scripture is this one:

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.” (ESV)

That was the word that came to Joshua, just after the death of Moses, at a time when he had to take over as the leader of Israel and fight battle after battle to take the land that God had promised Abraham centuries before.

It was a scary time, and in those scary times two emotions try to control us. Fear and dismay. What a toxic mix they turn out to be. Fear … well, we get what that is. But dismay – that feeling of being shattered when things don’t turn out the way we’d hoped – is like an army of white ants munching away at our soul, destroying our confidence in God.

In the face of all that, listen … be strong and courageous. How? Why?

For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go!

That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.