Guest Column: Facing Challenges

By Peggy J. Harris
Bucyrus, Ohio

Joshua 1:9 (NIV) The Lord said, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Last week I must stay was full of ups and downs for my family. At the beginning of the week my son interviewed for his first job, one daughter stressed out over what teaching material and furniture to order since she will be home schooling her two children next year, while my other daughter was dealing with her job, and we all dealing with the loss of my father-in-law. When I read the Bible verse above this morning, I thought of my family.

If you read Joshua 1:1-9, you find following the death of Moses, Joshua was also faced with uncertainty. God charged Joshua with leading the people into the hostile promised land. Surely doubt and anxiety gripped Joshua as he considered the overwhelming task before him. But God understood Joshua's fear and three times commanded him to "be strong and of good courage." And God promised to be with him.

We all face new challenges and new territories to conquer such as illness, career change, or personal loss. And like Joshua, we can face these uncertainties with courage by drawing on God's promise to be with us.

We should not try to manage on our own. We must always ask God for courage to face each new challenge and to move into unknown territory with trust in Him.

-- Peggy J. Harris is the mother of three children and three grandchildren. She is a long-time member of Mt. Zion Methodist Church in Bucyrus, Ohio.