How accepting yourself can lead to courageous steps of faith
I have a strong memory of when I was in the young adult group at my former church and I was trying to live out the verse that says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9, NIV).
We were sitting at our pastor’s house and I was trying to be courageous, but it wasn’t working. The group of us was sitting in their lower level and it was hard for me to speak up. Now, over a decade later, I have realized why it was difficult for me to be courageous.
Early on in my career as a pre-licensed therapist, I was trained in DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy). I still use this type of therapy in my work with clients today. Skill enhancement and self-acceptance is one of the areas of dialectics where people benefit from having balance. I was trying to practice being courageous, but it wasn’t working because I wasn’t accepting myself. I was beating myself up for being shy, for being quiet.
I eventually decided to check out a new church with a friend and was warmly welcomed by people who became my new friends. I’m still friends with my core group over 12 years later. Those people loved and accepted me as I was, which helped me love and accept myself. Feeling that love helped me blossom because I was planted in new soil that helped me grow. Feeling loved helped me branch out and be courageous.
I think a lot of people misinterpret the Bible where it says “Do not be afraid”, but it says that because we are to remember that God is with us wherever we go and will comfort us. It doesn’t mean we will never be afraid. Even Jesus was afraid when he was about to go to the cross. If we had a big angel surprise us like some of the other people in the Bible did, we would be afraid too.
The difference is that we don’t have to remain in our fear. As God works his love in our hearts, we can begin taking courageous steps of faith.
Scripture for meditation
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go”.
-Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Prompts for reflection and journaling
How have you interpreted “do not be afraid” in the Bible?
Do you think you have balance when it comes to accepting yourself and being courageous?
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