Don’t Let Your Feelings Rule You
Joshua 1:9 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.”
When I was growing up, I remember feeling scared that if I gave my life to Jesus, I would end up in Africa traipsing through the jungle. I wasn’t made for that kind of life so maybe I would look at Jesus more openly when I was older and had less dreams to give up. Then, when I was fifteen everything changed. I heard the gospel from someone I respected, and I couldn’t keep Jesus at a distance anymore. I had been a scared and angry boy and now for the first time I wasn’t living in fear. So what does God do, He brought a beautiful new believer into my life at a school leadership conference. John McCain was speaking at the conference and we were busy writing notes to each other. We were both new Christians and she was the first girl I was brave enough to talk to. We started dating and I was smitten.
God has a great sense of humor and I found out over time that this beautiful girl wanted to do missions in Uganda, Africa. What, I like running water, electricity, stores, concrete and many other things we take for granted. After Julie came back from a seven month short term mission trip to Uganda, I quickly proposed and we started our journey together in ministry. Thank the Lord, it was the kind of oversees missions I could handle. Vashon Island, a ferry ride away from where I grew up in Seattle, Washington.
Remember how I said God has a sense of humor, well through many twists and turns, I found myself leading a short-term team of 17, with my bride of seven years in Uganda, AFRICA! We were unable to have children and God had us serving orphans at New Hope Uganda Children’s Center.
Joshua 1:9 isn’t just a suggestion to not live in fear, it’s a command from God to not be ruled by our feelings. The only thing capable of ruling without destroying what it rules is not a thing but a person, Jesus. God doesn’t want us to figure out how to survive in our fears, He helps us to be more than conquerors. He’s ecstatic to see his children living full lives of purpose, not just trying to make it through another day. We weren’t called to survive, we were given His strength to be strong and courageous, not serving our feelings but serving our Lord.
I promise you that obeying God will push you beyond any limits you live in fear of, and all your greatest blessing in life will follow. As you can see.
The Shorack Family
Joshua 1:9 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.”