Emotional Healing and the River that Divides

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord you God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Do you remember the story of Moses and the Promised Land? Do you remember how he led the Israelites through the wilderness for 40 years? Do you remember that even though he was never able to see the Promised Land with his own eyes, he commissioned Joshua to lead the people through the Jordan River to reach what was promised?

Joshua 1:9 is the continuing of the story of Moses. It is a well-known verse and often used to cheer us on in some endeavor, but the context of this verse provides a deepness, a richness that we often overlook.

Within this context, the Israelite people were beginning the exploration into the Promised Land. Moses had died and now it was Joshua’s turn to lead.

The only thing that stood between them and the Promised Land was a body of water called the Jordan River. It is safe to say that these people had crossed many rivers in their day. Heck, they had heard the story of the fathers walking on dry land through the Red Sea. So, rivers and seas were a common obstacle for them. The significance of this river, though, was more than just a body of water. On the other side of the river was life and freedom; promise and prosperity. It represented God’s grace and deep love for His people.

So, Joshua said…” IT’S TIME! Gather all of your possessions and in three days we are going to complete what your ancestors started.”

Have you ever anticipated the day that you leave on an incredible vacation? Sleep is lost, schedules are disrupted, and bags are packed days in advance as the long-awaited departure approaches.

On a much larger scale, this reflects the hearts of these people. Their day of departure was soon approaching. But where were they going? The land had been described to them, yet their eyes had not seen it. This was the land of promise, yet they did not fully understand what was promised. The land was flowing with milk and honey yet a land they had yet to conquer.

As they chose to dip their toes into the Jordan river, there was no turning back. Could they trust God to do what He said He would do? Would this land be worth the journey through the river?

Often in our lives, God wants to take us across the river to the land of promise. This is not a physical destination that we can plant our feet upon, but it is a land that is promised for our hearts. It is a land of emotional healing and peaceful prosperity. But to reach the other side, we must cross the river…a river with a flowing current that could easily sweep us away, a river with a muddy bottom causing us to take small purposeful steps so we don’t stumble and drown, a river that leaves us wet and cold. But to have the peace that God desires for us, it is a river that must be crossed.

There are four powerful words that God states to His people; four words that captured the essence of their journey; four words that we need to claim and stand upon before crossing the river…

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS

Looking at the context of the scripture, this is the third time God said this to His people.

              Joshua 1:6 – Be strong and courageous!

              Joshua 1:7 – Be strong and VERY courageous!

              Joshua 1:9 – Be strong and courageous!

When you look at the beginning of verse nine you will see that God actually starts with a question…” Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous!”

Strength and courage is not a suggestion but a command! If God merely suggested, we would treat it as optional. But God’s strength is not optional. God’s strength and courage is commanded when it is time to cross the river!

If you are standing on the edge of the river today, the command is still the same…BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. Your bags may be packed, your belongings gathered. But the fear to take your first step into the water of emotional healing may be so overwhelming that you are paralyzed while standing on the shore. The only sincere hope that you have is waiting on the other side. Once you choose to enter the water, you must go with both feet. If you don’t carry command and strength with you, you will not make it across. If you choose to wade in the water without completing the journey, it will result with more emotional hurt causing you to be weighed down by the water.

The journey to emotional healing is one of the toughest courses you can set yourself on. With each step in the river, you will be faced with choices and memories that will make your desire to return to the shore unrelenting. But I promise, if you choose to return without crossing the river, the journey back will be worse than the journey forward. I know because I have been there.

There were moments in my emotional healing that were so dark I couldn’t move. I was stuck in the darkness of my despair knowing that if I went back to the shore, I would die in that despair. But I also knew that if I continued to move forward, the thought of living through the healing did not seem possible. I was stuck in my despair…I was stuck in the river not able to see the peace from healing awaiting me on the other side. In these moments, I would pray this prayer…

              “God, take me as deep as you need to take me, but I beg You, DO NOT LET GO!”

In my despair, I held my breath as God, and I dove deep into the waters. I prayed for strength and courage as I faced the demons of my past. I watched with each step in the waters how God held my hand. Then when the waters got unpredictably deep, He let go of my hand picking me up to carry me in His arms as we made our way to the other side.

I can say with confidence that the journey to the promised land of emotional healing is worth crossing the river!