Treasured Ministries

Offering women a biblical solution for inner healing

Joshua 1

Facing Fear

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Imagine yourself running a race. Your focus is on the finish line, but along the way your thought-life creates confusion. Your inner voice begins to say, “You better stop running … you might hurt yourself.”

Or you hear, “Was it really your idea to run this race?”

  • Or “Don’t go any farther—this next leg is too hard for you.”
  • Or “Come down this path. It’s the easy way out.”
  • Or “I don’t think you can trust the markers you see for the course are correct.”
  • Or “I think those people watching you are laughing at you because they don’t think you are any good.”
  • Or “Remember when you failed! You better not try again!”

You can stop, listen to your thoughts, and quit … or you can choose to take those thoughts captive to finish the race.

Keep Your Eyes Fixed on Christ

The race we are running is to follow Christ. Our eyes should be fixed on him.

God told Joshua not to turn to the right or left, but to follow God in order to be successful (Joshua 1:8). Turn to the left or the right in fear, and you are in danger of quitting or becoming distracted from your goal—a life completely surrendered to Christ.

The enemy works inside our thought-life and his calling card is fear. He is the father of lies. The enemy cannot steal your salvation, but he will do everything in his power to take you out of the race by tempting you to quit by confusing your thoughts.

Thoughts become beliefs that ultimately drive our behavior. Pay attention to your thinking and meditate on God’s truth to remain steadfast.

“And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed.” (Joshua 1:8 MSG)

God told Joshua to meditate on truth and that same tool is just as effective for us today.

I am not a warrior like Joshua trying to conquer enemies in the Promised Land, but I am a busy wife, mother, friend, and ministry leader with a desire to live in the direction of my God-given purpose. Just like you, I have distractions and disappointments that have the potential to derail me. In my busy world where my mind is prone to wander, biblical meditation continues to be the tool that gives me the ability to take my thoughts captive so that I can stand firm in my faith.

As an anchor exists to secure a vessel so it ceases to wander, God’s Word secures our heart to Him no matter what waves of fear we may face during the day.

God’s Word Is Our Weapon in Facing Fear

Jesus drew from the Scriptures to defeat Satan’s manipulative tactics of temptation so that he could stand firm (Matthew 4:1–11). Similarly, God’s Word is our offensive weapon in the battle against the enemy of our soul. As you face battles during the day, be like Joshua and Jesus.

Stand firm by strengthening your mind to the truth in his Word.

Talk back to your fearful thoughts with truth and derail the enemy’s tactics. This will require work on your part. Brave hearts armor up prepare for battle by renewing their minds to truth, memorizing scripture and speaking it out loud. (To see how to put this discipline into daily practice, check out the lessons on Renew Step 21 Day Challenge)

God was counting on Joshua to be courageous, and God is counting on you!

Courage means following God despite our feelings of fear and insecurity. The Bible says that Joshua was “terrified” and he “trembled.” Brave heart, it’s ok to feel fear – it’s not ok to follow fear.

God promised Joshua he would be with him and give him victory, but it was up to Joshua to replace his fear with faith in his Lord.

It is the same for us.

Our actions can be driven by faith or by fear—it is our choice. Our choices flow from our thought-life. Biblical meditation is God’s prescription to renew you mind. Fill your mind-truth and watch your courage soar!

Nourish Scripture: Joshua 1

Blog written by Aliene Thompson. Aliene Thompson is the founder of Treasured Ministries and the Author of the Nourish Bible Study Series. © 2019 Treasured Ministries.

Making a Difference

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Hey, brave heart, I love that you will jump into the unfamiliar. I love that you are bold. I love that you dare to do what I am asking you to do. I love your passion to pioneer. (Isaiah 42:16)

So be free to become the beautiful you I have created. (Ephesians 2:10)

Let go of what others say and find freedom to walk in your authentic identity in Christ by allowing my Words to frame your soul. (Galatians 1:10) Let go of every other hand you are holding so you can grab tightly onto mine. (Proverbs 29:25) 

I am looking for someone whose heart is fully committed to me and not afraid to walk differently by following me completely. Walking outside the world-defined box takes you beyond what is temporary into living for eternal treasures. (2 Corinthians 4:14–18) 

My presence and my purpose for you do not promise the absence of adversity; rather, they provide the assurance that you will never face adversity alone. (Hebrews 13:5) With me, you have a love that will never let you go. (Romans 8:38–39)

The Pioneering Spirit inside You

You see, I need someone to be first. (Isaiah 42:16) Yes, I am looking for the pioneering spirit inside you that says, I will not settle for what has always been. I want to uncover what can be. I need you to be the first in your family to walk a different way. (1 Peter 1:18–19) I see the generations beyond you who can be blessed. Indeed, my child, I have created you for this time appointed under heaven to leave blessings in your wake as you live for me.

When I formed the world, I did not rest until I’d made a woman, because she was needed to complete my plan. Today I still work to release the God-given potential within women, because they are an important part in a great story written for my glory. 

So don’t be afraid to jump out of the boat. I created you to be brave! You’ll leave ripples of eternal blessings when you walk in courage, trusting in me. Fear is something you learned. Love is what you are wired for, and you’ll walk in love when you follow me because I am love. 

My dear daughter, if I am for you, who can be against you? (Romans 8:31) My perfect love can cast that fear right out of you. (1 John 4:18) Nothing can separate you from my love—and my love is enough. 

So walk in that security. If worry walks through the front door, push it back out by casting all your cares on me and trusting me with your whole heart. (1 Peter 5:7) And if waves of adversity steal your focus, get your eyes right back on me. (Matthew 14:30; Hebrews 12:1–2) Find a promise in my Word and cling to it with all your might. (Mark 4:20)

Yes, brave heart, flex your faith muscle. Walk differently by living fully for Christ. You are bold, beautiful, and brave.

Making a Difference by Doing God’s Will

Jesus said, “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.” (John 4:34, NLT, emphasis mine).

God’s will for us is revealed through his Word. As we respond to the Word and walk out God’s will for our lives in faith, the nourishment we receive will flow to others and we will become more and more the women God created us to be.

Nourish Scripture: Joshua 1

Take the next step by downloading Nourishing Your Heart to learn how to connect with God’s Word in a way that transforms your life. 

Blog written by Aliene Thompson. Aliene Thompson is the founder of Treasured Ministries and the Author of the Nourish Bible Study Series. © 2019 Treasured Ministries.