One of my greatest passions is also one of my greatest fears. This truth makes for a very confusing emotion at times. I have come to call this emotion parenting. There is nothing I love or want more of in this world than time with my family. If I ever have a chance to have my wife and daughters together, or even extra special time with just one of them, I take it. My wife and daughters are three blessings God uses to teach me about His constant love and grace.
Combined with this, however, is lingering fear that creeps in from time to time, and that is the fear of failure. Am I giving Jess all the love that she needs? Am I leading her in Christ? Am I fulfilling Ephesians 5 in my marriage? Am I raising my children correctly? Are they being given all the love, discipline, boundaries and freedoms they need to become godly women? Am I being a godly husband and father?
These titles that I love so much, husband and father, have been given to me by God, and I sometimes am afraid of failing.
If you are like me and share these feelings, we would be wise to consider God’s words to Joshua in Joshua 1. We know from what is written in the Bible before Joshua 1, that Joshua was passionate about God, and strove to be a godly man. He was diligent in prayer, faithful to trust in God’s provision, and encouraged others through his godly leadership. But can you imagine the fear that rises up when he is given control of leading God’s people into the promise land? He may not even show this fear, but it has to cross his mind! Then God speaks life, courage and strength into Joshua.
A helpful exercise I learned in grad school was to reword God’s Word as if He had spoken it directly to you. I have done this using God’s words to Joshua below, and written them to us in our marriages and parenting. Imagine God proclaiming this to you every morning and evening! God is with you always, and will not leave you to fail. Trust in Him to be your help and strength. You can put all your faith and trust in our Heavenly Father.
No fear shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Joshua, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause your family to inherit the promises that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all My Word commands you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Bible shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you and your family will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you in your marriage, your parenting, and wherever you go.
