Be Strong and Courageous: What Joshua 1:9 Means for Fearful Days
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“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9
Some verses feel like a gentle whisper. Joshua 1:9 feels like a hand on your shoulder—steady, sure, and strong.
Because life can be loud. Bills, diagnoses, hard conversations, family stress, unanswered prayers, unexpected changes… it all stacks up. And before we even realize it, fear starts narrating our story:
What if I can’t handle this?
What if I’m alone?
What if things don’t get better?
Joshua 1:9 interrupts that spiral with a holy, confidence-building truth: God does not just encourage us—He commands us—and He backs up His command with His presence.
Let’s slow down and really sit in what God is saying here, and how it can change the way we walk through uncertainty.
The Backstory: Why God Said This to Joshua
Joshua 1 opens on a major transition. Moses has died. The people are standing at the edge of the Promised Land, and Joshua—Moses’ assistant—is now responsible for leading an entire nation forward.
Joshua is not stepping into a cozy, comfortable assignment. He’s stepping into leadership, warfare, responsibility, and the unknown.
And that’s exactly why this verse hits home: Joshua 1:9 was spoken to someone facing a “too big for me” season.
So if your life right now feels bigger than your strength, this verse isn’t random inspiration—it’s targeted support.
“Have I not commanded you?”
(God starts with authority, not vibes)
Notice God doesn’t say, “Joshua, if you feel like it, try to be brave.”
He says: “Have I not commanded you?”
That means courage isn’t something we wait to feel. Courage is something we choose because God is God.
Sometimes I wish God’s instructions came with a full blueprint—step-by-step, pain-free, with a timeline. But often His leadership sounds like this:
“Go.”
“Trust Me.”
“Do not fear.”
“Be strong.”
A command doesn’t mean God is insensitive to what we feel. It means God refuses to let fear be our leader.
“Be strong and courageous”
(Strength is not the absence of weakness)
“Be strong” doesn’t mean, Pretend you’re fine.
Biblical strength is often the opposite of self-sufficiency. It’s the kind of strength that admits:
I can’t do this on my own.
I need God.
I’m showing up anyway.
And courage isn’t the absence of fear, either. Courage is obedience in the presence of fear.
If you’ve been waiting until you feel fearless to move forward, Joshua 1:9 is basically saying:
Move forward with Me. That’s where your courage will grow.
“Do not be frightened” (God speaks to the panic response)
Fear has a physical side, doesn’t it?
Tight chest. Racing mind. Worst-case scenarios. That heavy feeling when you wake up already stressed.
God doesn’t shame Joshua for being human. He speaks directly to what fear does: it tries to stop you before you start.
Fear says:
“Stay where it’s safe.”
“Don’t try again.”
“You’ll fail.”
“You’re going to lose everything.”
God says:
“Don’t be frightened.”
Not because the situation isn’t real—but because fear is not a reliable prophet. Fear predicts disaster, but it doesn’t know God’s plan.
“Do not be dismayed”
(God addresses discouragement and fatigue)
“Dismayed” isn’t just fear—it’s that sinking feeling of defeat.
It’s the moment you think:
“What’s the point?”
“I’m too tired.”
“I’ve prayed and nothing changed.”
“I don’t think I have what it takes.”
Discouragement can be quieter than fear, but it’s just as dangerous. Fear screams. Discouragement sighs.
Joshua 1:9 confronts that weary, worn-down part of us and says: Don’t live there.
Not because you’re never allowed to feel tired, but because you’re not allowed to stay hopeless when God is present.
“For the LORD your God is with you”
(Here’s the reason you can obey)
God doesn’t command courage and leave you to manufacture it.
He gives the reason:
“For the LORD your God is with you.”
That’s the center of the verse. That’s the anchor. That’s the difference between pep-talk courage and holy courage.
Your confidence is not in:
your personality,
your resources,
your perfect plan,
your ability to control outcomes.
Your confidence is in a Person: God Himself.
And not just “God in general”…
“The LORD your God…”
That’s personal. Covenant. Belonging.
“Wherever you go” (God’s presence isn’t location-based)
This is the part that makes me exhale.
God doesn’t say, “I’ll be with you when you get it all together.”
Or, “I’ll be with you if you make the right choices every time.”
Or, “I’ll be with you when the environment is peaceful.”
He says: wherever you go.
That includes:
the waiting room
the hard conversation
the lonely season
the job search
the parenting overwhelm
the grief
the “I don’t know what I’m doing” days
God doesn’t only meet us at the finish line. He walks with us on the road.
How to live Joshua 1:9 in real life
(when fear shows up again tomorrow)
Let’s get practical. Here are a few ways to turn this verse from “nice to read” into something you stand on.
A simple 3-step reset for anxious moments
Name what you’re afraid of.
Don’t keep it swirling. Write it down. Say it out loud to God.Replace the narrative.
Fear: “I’m alone.”
Truth: “The LORD my God is with me wherever I go.”Take one brave next step.
Courage usually looks like one small act of obedience, not one grand dramatic leap.
A daily courage prayer
Lord, You commanded me to be strong and courageous. I confess I feel afraid and discouraged. But You are with me—right here, right now. Give me strength for today and courage for my next step. Amen.
Inspiring Others Without Pretending You’re Perfect
One of the most beautiful side effects of living Joshua 1:9 is this: your life becomes permission for someone else to keep going.
You don’t have to be the strongest person in the room. You don’t have to have the neatest testimony.
You just have to be someone who says:
“God met me there.”
“God carried me.”
“God didn’t leave.”
That kind of faith is contagious.
Joshua 1:9 isn’t a poster on the wall. It’s a lifeline.
God’s command is clear: Be strong. Be courageous.
And His promise is even clearer: I am with you wherever you go.
So if you’re facing a season that feels too heavy, too uncertain, or too intimidating—this verse is for you.
Not because you’re fearless.
But because God is faithful.
If this encouraged you, I’d love to invite you into my Skool community connected to Living A Fruitful Life. Inside, you’ll find a free 7-day trial with a study course on this subject that goes deeper including printable resources (study pages, family discussion prompts, and kids activity pages) and a full catalog of other 7-day courses with a new one released each week for only an $8/month membership.
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