Last week I shared a series on toxic relationships. This week I want to explore another aspect of relationships. I want to help you recognize the Joshua(s) in your life [those who see your vision and help inspire you to greatness so you can enter your Promised Land] and also know how to navigate your Judas(s)…[those who will hurt and betray you].
I believe both types of relationships are valuable in your life. While hurt and betrayal are extremely difficult to walk through, they may also serve an essential purpose. Without Judas, Jesus would not have fulfilled His destiny. We will talk more about Judas later in the series. Today I want to focus on Joshua.
What does a Joshua look like and why is it important to find your Joshua?
Let’s start by exploring the story of Joshua in Numbers 13. He was one of 12 spies sent out by Moses to bring report of the Promised Land. Ten of the spies came back with fear and advised against entering. They lost sight of the vision and allowed fear to permeate not only their own hearts, but also the hearts of others. Joshua and Caleb had faith in God’s promise and encouraged Moses to take possession of the land. The Israelites listened to the 10 spies and missed out on the promised land. However, because Joshua & Caleb were faithful, Joshua eventually led the Israelites into the Promised Land.
In Numbers 14, all of Israel turned against Moses and Aaron in the desert and wanted another leader to lead them back to Egypt instead of facing the opposition to take the Promised Land. It would have been easy for Joshua to seize the opportunity for position and join with Israel against Moses, but instead, he defended Moses and encouraged Israel to remain faithful and trust God.
This passage took on new meaning for me after walking through something similar in my own life. Unfortunately, at the time, I did not have a Joshua on my side. The ones I thought were Joshua(s) were not. People I loved and cared deeply about turned to the voices in the camp who did not understand honor or being undercover of authority. They began to believe they were better equipped to lead the people, and chose to follow a different path. In doing so, they missed the opportunity just beyond the horizon to step into the promised land. My prayer is that the generation does not miss out because of their actions!
In my own life, I have also been guilty of running ahead of God, or of allowing the voices of others to lead me astray. Perhaps you have as well. The good news is, we serve a loving and faithful God! We only need to repent and turn our hearts back to Him and He promises to make a way in the wilderness! You don’t have to spend the next 40 years wandering in the desert like the Israelites! It is NEVER TOO LATE to turn back to God and get on the right path again!
I have been blessed to have some wonderful Joshua(s) in my own life. They are people who believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. Whether it was in my pursuit of counseling, ministry or even in writing my first book, these were people who believed in me and encouraged me through the best and worst of times. My husband has always been a Joshua in my life. I can think of many times where I felt discouraged and wanted to quit, but he always acknowledged the call of God on my life and cheered me on. He recognized the vision and helped me to remain faithful to it. He saw the best in me even when it seemed everyone else only saw the worst!
I have also had a few amazing friends along my journey. Some are still in my life today, while others served only for a season. Here’s how I have learned to identify the true Joshua(s) in my life:
Three Traits of a Joshua:
1. Joshua(s) believe the best about you & defend you
- No matter what you face in life or who is speaking ill of you, Joshua(s) will always defend and support you. They believe in you when others don’t, and they speak up instead of remaining silent when your character is being called into question.
- Is there someone in your life who comes to your defense when others say negative things about you? Someone who believes in you and encourages you? Someone who understands the vision God has given you to advance the Kingdom of God? If you cannot think of someone, ask God to show you (or bring you) your Joshua.
- Joshua did not require a coveted position in order to remain faithful. He was not Moses’ right hand man or a leader by position. He was a man who was faithful to God and where God had placed him. As a result, he was promoted in due season.
- When you are faithful where you are, God will promote you to where you desire to be [Matthew 25:23, Luke 16:10]. When you promote yourself, you are actually working against the Holy Spirit instead of partnering with Him.
- Also ask yourself if you have been a Joshua for others. Are you faithful where God has planted you? Do you defend the authorities in your life? Do you support the vision no matter who speaks against it? Or are you critical? Are your actions self-serving and self-promoting or do they serve the common good of the mission?
2. Joshua(s) stand by you through trials and persecution
- Joshua(s) will remain steadfast despite opposition. They will not run away or quit, even in the worst circumstances. They are not worried about their reputation before men, but seek to please and obey God above all else.
- Do you run away from difficulties? Do you quit when things are challenging or uncomfortable? Do you tend to take the path of least resistance? Do you allow others to gossip in your presence? Do you stay silent when someone is slanderous? If so, pray for the Lord to help you to stand firm in the midst of storms. (In my next post I will share tools to help you with this as well)
3. Joshua(s) operate from faith instead of fear
- Numbers 13-Joshua and Caleb brought back a different report than the other 10 spies who saw the giants in the land and became fearful. The other spies discouraged Moses from invading the Promised Land, but Joshua & Caleb’s response was very different: Vs. 30 – “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”
- A Joshua won’t partner with fear, but will see the vision God has given you in faith and stand firm.
- They will inspire you and those around you to partner with faith instead of fear in the midst of trials.
Do you surround yourself with Joshua(s)? If you want to live a life of faith, you must intentionally surround yourself with others who live the same way.
Your inner circle becomes your inner voice.
I hope you have been inspired to join with the Joshua(s) in your life to achieve the impossible for God, and also to become a Joshua for those around you! In the next post I will share practical tools for becoming more like Joshua.
Blessings,
Katie
