![\"ToughTimes\"](\"https:\/\/corehealingfromtrauma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/ToughTimes-300x162.png\" "\\"ToughTimes\\"")
\n\tIn Joshua 1, God repeats \u201cbe courageous\u201d four times: Be strong and courageous\u2026..\u00a0Only be strong and\u00a0very courageous\u2026. Have I not commanded you?\u00a0Be strong and courageous.\u00a0Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the\u00a0Lord\u00a0your God is with you wherever you go. Only be strong and courageous <\/em>(verses 6-7, 9, and 18b, ESV).<\/em>Merriam-Webster defines courage<\/strong> as mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. <\/em>Courage, then, is not the absence of fear but the choice to move beyond its inherent danger and difficulties\u2014with serene confidence in God, with us.<\/p>\n By consistently choosing to live in God\u2019s deliverance<\/strong>, we can move<\/strong> beyond<\/strong> the three hazy stages of tough times<\/strong>: 1. The tough time begins, 2. The tough time continues, 3. The tough time ends (but you can already see another one on its way). In all times, we need to be alert, replacing Mind ANTs <\/strong>(automatic negative thoughts). These pests occur in 10 different forms of distorted thinking, from Catastrophizing<\/strong> (expecting the worst to happen), Should Statements<\/strong> (internal emotional whips like \u201cI should have done more\u201d or \u201cShe should have\u2026\u201d), to Emotional Reasoning<\/strong> (accepting all feelings as valid indicators of reality). For more on managing your thoughts, see Chapter Two of Core Healing from Trauma. <\/em><\/p>\n We do need to notice what we\u2019re feeling<\/strong>, but we don\u2019t need to let feelings govern our lives. As we allow our emotions to inform rather than control<\/strong> us, we\u2019ll eat when we\u2019re hungry, rest when we\u2019re tired, study God\u2019s Word<\/strong> when we\u2019re confused, and reach out to others when we\u2019re lonely.<\/p>\n We can reframe life\u2019s challenges<\/strong> with faith, replacing the \u201cframe\u201d of fear\u2014self-talk such as, \u201cThis is too hard, No one cares\u201d\u2014 with Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.<\/em> We can remind ourselves: With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible<\/em> (Matthew 19:26). Because He is with you, you\u2019re never alone! Jesus said, And everything I\u2019ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world! <\/em>(John 16:33, TPT).<\/p>\n Some of the toughest of tough times involve relationship pain<\/strong>\u2014when a child is hurting or a teen is rebelling, when an adult child is estranged or when a loved one leaves. Jesus told us we\u2019d experience trouble in the world. Amidst suffering<\/strong>, instead of being either naively optimistic or harshly fatalistic, we can run to God for deep hope that doesn\u2019t disappoint<\/strong> (see Romans 5:3-5). Like the disciples when their boat was buffeted by waves (and not understanding it was Jesus walking toward them on the water), we might feel terrified at life\u2019s unknowns. But we can train ourselves to hear Jesus\u2019 calm voice, Take courage! It is I. Don\u2019t be afraid.<\/em><\/strong> (Matthew 14:27).<\/p>\n When someone you know is going through a tough time, you can make a difference by noticing and showing you care.<\/strong> That might mean driving a friend or a neighbor to a doctor\u2019s appointment; it could mean providing meals or household help for someone in need, making phone calls\u2014and taking time to listen. When we\u2019re the ones struggling, we can develop courage by choosing to rely on God, letting others know we need help, and living one moment at a time. We don\u2019t have strength for tomorrow\u2019s challenges, but we do\u2014by the grace of God\u2014have strength for today.<\/p>\n For additional ideas, you can work through Core Healing from Trauma<\/em><\/strong>, a biblical counseling workbook for individuals or groups, available on Amazon<\/a><\/strong> or you can watch Strengthening Your Core<\/strong><\/em>, a 12 – video series on YouTube<\/a><\/strong>. You can also listen to Marti discussing this topic on \u201cMornings with Eric and Brigitte<\/strong><\/a>\u201d (Moody Radio South Florida 89.3 FM).<\/p>\n
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