"Have I not commanded you, Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
Incredibly shy as a young girl, acting became my refuge; a place where I discarded my apprehensions and troubles, crawled into another shell quite unlike myself and safely expressed emotions the real me never could. But, I had to be careful. Rehearsals exhausted me, transformed me and it took hours before I found myself, the real me, again.
Sometimes we rehearse real life. A problem heads our way and immediately, we imagine all the possible negative scenarios. We turn those thoughts over in our minds - diligently rehearse our parts - until one day our minds transform the imaginary into reality. Our hearts no longer rest, but beat exhausted and anxious before trouble even comes.
Sarah Young puts it this way: "Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times, whereas you are meant to go through them only when they actually occur. Do not multiply your suffering in this way!" (Jesus Calling, 2008, Thomas Nelson).
On the contrary, God says, "Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go"(Joshua 1:5, 9). Relax. God's got it! He is with us and knows what's up ahead before we do. All he asks is that we seek his face with all our hearts. And when we do, he will fill us with his peace - an incomprehensible peace - even in the middle of our mess.
So, if we're to rehearse anything in this life, it is to be being fully reliant on God. Practice our faith until we're transformed into maturity in Christ.
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Joshua 29:13
Lord, may we remember to seek you, not only during trouble, but every day; for this is how we mature in you. May we stop rehearsing our troubles and remember to just be ourselves with you, giving you everything and in thanksgiving, look forward to where you are. In doing this, fill us with your peace.
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Joshua 29:13
Lord, may we remember to seek you, not only during trouble, but every day; for this is how we mature in you. May we stop rehearsing our troubles and remember to just be ourselves with you, giving you everything and in thanksgiving, look forward to where you are. In doing this, fill us with your peace.
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