Embracing the Timeless Wisdom of Living by Faith

Then He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the sons of Israel into the land which I swore to them, and I will be with you.” Deuteronomy 31:23 NASB

In life, there exists wisdom that is universal, timeless, and multi-generational. My parents tried to teach me the importance of saving money for unexpected situations and the necessity of not procrastinating on important tasks. This was wise advice that I regretfully did not appreciate at the time and ultimately learned through personal experience. As a parent, I strive to impart this wisdom to my children in the hope that they will avoid learning it through similar experiences.

As Moses approached the end of his life, God’ appointed Joshua to lead His people into the promised land. This period was marked by change and uncertainty. A multi-generational promise of God was to be fulfilled, but the specifics of how it would happen were unclear. Joshua was unaware of the leadership challenges that awaited him.

In this moment of uncertainty, God imparts wisdom to Joshua to strengthen his faith and to prepare him for what was to come.

“Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the sons of Israel into the land which I swore to them, and I will be with you.”

Life is full of uncertainty, but through it all, God’s promises are being fulfilled. While we can know that God is at work in our lives, we often cannot see how circumstances will unfold. Throughout these experiences, the universal, timeless wisdom imparted by God to Joshua remains relevant: to remain strong and courageous, for God is with us.

Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished. 1 Chronicles 28:20 NASB

This wisdom is multi-generational. God imparted this wisdom on to Joshua and David to his son Solomon. We must live our lives by it and impart it to others as well.

Just like the importance of saving money and avoiding procrastination, the reality that we will encounter challenges in life is universal and timeless. How we face these challenges is important. Because it takes strength, courage, and faith to face uncertainty in life with the belief that regardless of the outcome God is with us through it all.

Another piece of timeless wisdom I have come to appreciate over time is the importance of controlling that which is within our control and accepting that which is outside of our control.

What we have control over is our minds, including how we respond to our thoughts, feelings, and various situations.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV

The outcome of our circumstances may be outside of our control but choosing to be strong, courageous and to trust God as we navigate them is well within our control. To achieve this, we need to follow Paul’s instruction and be on guard, mindfully watching over our thoughts, feelings and actions, to ensure that we remain strong and courageous, keeping our trust in God.

If we have the mindset that we need to be strong and courageous, trusting God throughout our day and in any given circumstance, this will positively influence our thoughts, feelings, and how we approach various situations in our lives.

In time, our faith will grow, as we see that God is trustworthy. Our continued strength and courage in the face of adversity will cultivate character as we overcome challenging situations with God by our side. In turn, we will demonstrate to others the generational wisdom of being strong and courageous, trusting in God in all circumstances, so that they too can be encouraged like Joshua, David, Solomon, Paul, and countless others, to live their lives this way as well.

Reflection

Take a moment to reflect on a situation that you struggle to manage. Do you notice yourself overthinking, replaying the situation, or waking up in the night only to dwell on it more? What does all of this time spent thinking about your situation cost you? Are you open to trying something different? Be courageous. Sit with the uncertainty. Notice your thoughts and feelings, but don't dwell on them. Instead, sit with them and God, and trust that a way forward will be provided.

Prayer

Father God, give me the strength to be still in the face of uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. Help me to trust that you are in control of everything not within my control. Help me to take control of my mind in the face of uncertainty, so that I can live out my faith and love for you regardless of my circumstances.

Affirmation

God's ways are not my ways and that is a good thing.

Action

Write down on a piece of paper a problem that you are struggling with. Flip the piece of paper over and write down "God will provide a solution." Give yourself permission to stop thinking about this problem and trust God with it instead. Then carry the piece of paper with you. If you find yourself thinking about the problem again, read both sides of the piece of paper and remind yourself that God will provide a solution.

Doing this activity reminds us that some problems in life don't go away and need to be carried for a season until a solution is provided. When God provides a solution, be sure to give Him thanks.