His Command - Be Strong

           I wrote this in the fall of 2012, after visiting with Janice Funkhouser Goad following the funeral service for Marian Gayle Rice Stoneman. My family was just beginning our journey of caring for Dad following his first stroke. Janice shared the following account with me that day.
            This past week when driving to pick up cattle feed, I heard a teaching about Joshua 1:9 from one of the only radio stations that I get in the feed truck. The teacher reminded  the need to meditate frequently on God’s command to be strong and courageous. We must be strong and courageous in not only reading and meditating but also obeying God’s Word. Then He gives me His strength to complete His will for me even when it seems almost an impossibility.
           Janice's story below and the Bible verse came to mind. Coupled with the Bible teaching on the same verse, I found my spirit renewed and ready to do whatever He wanted me to do.

Discouragement, frustration, and a feeling of frazzled emotions consumed Janice at that moment.  Recently she had given her life to Jesus, confessing and repenting of her sins, and receiving His wonderful forgiveness. In that way, she began her walk with the Lord.

         Disheartened, aggravated, overwhelmed were words that were describing her life that particular day. Their teenage son’s rebellious attitude was perturbing her. Their two daughters just a few years younger than him were focused on their own needs and self-serving wishes leaving Janice upset at them for not doing their part to make her day a little better. The care for their precious baby daughter was overwhelming as she dealt with these family issues by herself since her husband was calf roping until midnight each evening.
         An internal invitation to engage in a self-pity party arrived at her heart's door that day. After all, anyone would agree with her. Nothing was working in her favor and no one was trying to help.

         Realizing she needed a walk, Janice shoved open the back door angrily. Her feet pounded down a path on their rural property. She knew very little about being a Christian, but she had certainly thought it would be much easier than this.

         Suddenly, as she walked, she sensed God saying to her, Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

         This was one of the verses she was memorizing. Even as a young believer, she knew she should get God’s word in her heart and mind. She was trying to memorize as many verses as she could. The Lord brought Joshua 1:9 to the forefront of her mind.

         At that point, Janice sensed the Lord emphasizing these words in her heart – Have I not commanded thee? Be strong… He was telling her that it was His command, not a suggestion, not a recommendation but a command, a non-negotiable imperative. He was demanding that she be strong. She couldn’t crumple and collapse at these difficulties in her family. God commanded her to be strong and courageous. He didn’t want the fearful thoughts to dominate her time, leading to debilitating discouragement. He promised to be with her no matter where her life journey would lead.

          Janice later reflected on how impacted she felt by the unbelievable power from God's Word. Recalling and applying the verse in Joshua pulled her from despondency and depression that had been initiated by her self-pity. That day marked the first time she experienced the power of God's Word intervening in her life. The joy and peace that God's Word brought to her that day would be repeated over and over in her life as she fought self-destructive thoughts with memorized scriptures.

          Little did she know before their only son reached his fortieth birthday, she and her husband would stand by his grave on snow-covered ground with heavy hearts and arms around their three daughters attempting to draw strength and comfort from each other. Their family and friends reached out with sympathetic words and deeds, but only God brought peace and comfort to their minds and hearts.

          One day their youngest daughter, a bride of four years planning with her husband to begin a family, stopped by to visit. Janice was so moved at that moment by how pretty her daughter was and told her just how beautiful she was. Never would she fathom that they would soon be notified of her fatal car accident.* Nothing prepared her and her husband to stand next to her casket and see that youthful face as though she was only sleeping. Amidst Janice’s heart-wrenching grief she could hear the Lord whisper, “As I promised, I am with you. Don’t be afraid because I will be with you wherever you go.”

Sam Goad and Janice Funkhouser, chosen as the "cutest couple" for the RHS
Tiger, the yearbook published in 1965. One day during Dad's stroke convalescence,
I met Sam while in town. His words about some of his trying experiences and
how God led him through them provided much needed encouragement to me
on that very day.

        Frequently people tell we followers of Jesus how strong we are. If we appear strong it is because we know God has been and will continue to be with us. We know no matter where the path of our lives leads us, God is with us. We can be strong, courageous, casting our fear onto our heavenly Father because He is walking right beside us assuring us as we go.

                Father, as we face the unknown and heal from the grief of the past, may we obey Your command to be strong and courageous, walking in the power of Your presence forever with us, wherever You may lead us. Thank You that we can rest assuredly on the truth that You will be with us, giving us strength as we rely on the promises from Your Word.

*A blog tribute on the third anniversary of Summer Goad Novotny's death can be accessed at: bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2015/09/remembering-summer-jalyn-goad-novotny.html