Encouragement for a Discouraged Momma

When I was a young girl, my brother, sister, and I enjoyed playing the Nintendo in our parent’s basement.  We loved the original Super Mario Brothers, Duck Hunt, and Tetris.  Another game that we enjoyed playing was a Bible game called Joshua.  The player took Joshua on different adventures to conquer Jericho.  I don’t remember much about the adventures except throughout the game a computerized voice said “Be Courageous, Joshua.”  It was so distinct that it was a common phrase in our home growing up.  Whenever a form of the word “courage” was stated, one of us would repeat the phrase in our best robotic voice.

Now 25 years later, I still hear that voice in my head.  The exact tone and rhythm of the three words.  But now, I also think of the verse that coincides with this phrase. 

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.”

Isn’t it interesting that being strong and courageous is a command?  God is not only reminding us, He is commanding us.  But then He goes further.  “Do not be afraid or discouraged.” 

As a mom, I feel very weak and unqualified to train our four littles.  I lose courage when I see how other parents are being tolerant of the latest parenting trend.  I fear how our children will turn out as we send them out into the real world.  I get discouraged as I fight the same battles day in and day out for obedience, respect, and responsibility.

While God gently leads mommas with young children (Isaiah 40:11), His command still stands.  I am to cast away fear and discouragement and stand strong with courage. 

Look at the verse one more time. 

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.”

Notice in this verse that the Lord isn’t asking us to stand on our own two feet.  There is power in that three-letter word “for.”  We don’t have to be strong enough.  We don’t have to gather up enough courage to make it through one more day. 

Sweet sisters, God will provide.  He will be our strength and our courage because the LORD our God will be with us through it all.  In the middle of the night with a sick baby.  As we discipline the same child for the same behavior.   When we just – one time – want to use the restroom without interruption.  Those days when we scream out to Him that this is not what we signed up for. 
Through each moment.  Through every valley and mountain.  God is beside us.  That alone is enough to keep all fear and discouragement away and remind us to “Be Courageous, Mommas!”

This post contains affiliate links. When you click on these links, I may receive an itty-bitty commission at no additional cost to you.

As I shared in yesterday’s post, I will be posting on Tuesdays only on this blog during the summer months as I try to balance the increased activity at ABCJLM and on Facebook.  Remember that you can still receive
daily updates on the Our Out-of-Sync Life Facebook page and the weekly ABCJLM Newsletter.  I hope that you will take a moment to “Like” and subscribe to each.