Article by Dr. Les Hollon, Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church

Life is good.  Life is hard.  Living with these two realities is tough.  Every day we feel the pull of both on our lives.

God knows our challenge.  He calls us out from the daily struggle to hear His voice, “I am with you. Do not be dismayed.” The Lord gives us Himself.

We are tempted to cope our way through life.  Many of us do.  We can feel tempted to compromise by trusting God with some of our life but not all our life.  Not sure that we can really trust Him enough to get us through the daily demands, to get ourselves out of the messes we have gotten ourselves into, or because we may be afraid of His answer to our problems - we get stuck with burdens which weigh us down.

How to make the most of a marriage which is less than we expected?  How to handle the daily feeling of “I’m not worth much”?  How to get myself out of overwhelming debts?  How to get unhooked from on-line pornography?  How to not feel lonely or angry most of the time?  How to get myself into healthier friendships?  How to stop cursing?  How to stop my addictions to a drug?  How to                     (you fill in the blank)?

The story of Joshua, as well as thousands of other stories, illustrates what God can do with followers whose hearts, heads, and hands are empowered by courageous faith.  And this kind of faith is a non-negotiable requirement.  We must not be so foolish to think that because our technological cultures have changed so dramatically from theirs, that the essential character of faith has also changed.  It has not.  No, what must change is our capability to utilize this faith in the 21st century.

Are you ready for some answers?  Then listen to God’s Word at work.  Try starting with the Book of Joshua in the Bible.  Under the press of life’s good & hard tension, Joshua heard God say three times, Be strong in the Lord! Be of good courage.  Read the story of Joshua and see what it means for you today.

Pastor Les Hollon

“Where faith is there is courage, there is fortitude, there is steadfastness and strength … Faith bestows that sublime courage that rises superior to the troubles and disappointments of life, that acknowledges no defeat except as a step to victory; that is strong to endure, patient to wait, and energetic to struggle … Light up, then, the lamp of faith in your heart … It will lead you safely through the mists of doubt and the black darkness of despair; along the narrow, thorny ways of sickness and sorrow, and over the treacherous places of temptation and uncertainty.”
-James Allen  

This article was written by Les Hollon, Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church.  For more information about how God works in your life, or to contact Dr. Hollon, click over to Trinity Baptist Church.

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