Courage

Today's devotional is from The Leadership Walk: Devotions for Leaders of Today and Tomorrow

"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.

The Lord spoke to Joshua and warned and commanded him to be strong and courageous and not to be afraid. Of course that meant that Joshua was going to encounter many obstacles and enemies that would tempt him to lose strength and to fear. The main reason God told Joshua not to fear is that God Himself was with Joshua wherever he went, and God plus one other person always constitutes a majority. However, when God tells someone not to fear, it is usually too late, and He is really telling them to move past their fears. All leaders must learn how to manage their fear and muster courage, which must function not in the absence of fear but in the midst and in spite of fear.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Your Step today is to see where fear is overruling courage in your life. Are you afraid to make a personnel change because it may get ugly? Are you afraid to make a decision, so you settle for the status quo, which is really a decision not to decide? Do you live in fear of losing your job, so you play it safe and remain indecisive? Do you fear the criticism that is sure to come as you lead? Does it help to remember that God is with you wherever you go?