brave

Joshua 8:1a Then the Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid or discouraged..."



afraid (from dictionary.com)
1. feeling fear; filled with apprehension: afraid to go.
2. feeling regret, unhappiness, or the like: I'm afraid we can't go on Monday.
3. feeling reluctance, unwillingness, distaste, or the like: He seemed afraid to show his own children a little kindness.



discouraged (from dictionary.com)
1. to deprive of courage, hope, or confidence; dishearten; dispirit.
2. to dissuade (usually followed by from  ).
3. to obstruct by opposition or difficulty; hinder: Low prices discourage industry.
4. to express or make clear disapproval of; frown upon: to discourage the expression of enthusiasm.



God tells us, like Joshua, to not be afraid or discouraged.


There's not a lot of merit in being brave when it's easy to be brave.


There is when it's hard to be brave when what you're facing scares to to death & you see no way out.


How we are brave in the face of impossibility reveals who we are & how much we REALLY trust Him.