Pressured

“Where do I go from here?” I wondered, looking at my story. I had just finished typing out another novel—another novel for the collection of manuscripts sitting on my computer. My head swirled with story ideas and dreams, but I had no idea how
to get any of them published.” How long will it be till then? Years? Decades?”

When I get overwhelmed thinking about how far I still have to go, I come back to one of my favorite Bible verses: Joshua 1:9. The Israelites were about to enter the land God promised to them generations ago, and their leader, Moses, had just died. God appointed Joshua to take Moses’ place. Joshua must have been overwhelmed—Moses had led the Israelites through the Red Sea out of slavery in Egypt, given them God’s good law at the base of Mount Sinai, and led them through forty years of wandering in the desert. This left Joshua with a huge position to fill at a critical point in Israel’s history. But just before entering the Promised Land, God spoke to Joshua. He promised never to leave Joshua nor forsake him, no matter where they went. And this promise came with a command that God repeated several times: be strong and courageous.

Similarly, when Jesus finished His work on earth—after He defeated sin, death, and brokenness through His life, death, and resurrection—and was about to leave His disciples to return to heaven, He gave them some final instructions (Acts 1:1-11) and this promise: “I am with you always, to the very end of the age†(Matthew 28:20).

I don’t know where my writing might take me, but I know Jesus will be with me every step of the way—and He knows what is best for me. No matter where you go in your life, Jesus is with you and has a plan through all of it. We can be strong and courageous because He has overcome the world (John 16:33). • Abby Ciona

• Do you ever get overwhelmed thinking about what your future could hold? Read John 16:33. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus—who has overcome the world—He lives in you through the Holy Spirit. How does this equip you to face the future with strength and courage?

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)

Read Verses:

Ecclesiastes 4:7-12; 1 Corinthians 15:31-34; Galatians 6:1-3