Does it mean we’re a failure, or weak, when we have to be encouraged?
No! We all need to be encouraged at different times. Obstacles can sometimes seem insurmountable to us. It’s so healthy to have a third party give us God’s point of view when the mountain looks so huge to us.
This is what Joshua did for the tribe of Joseph.
Then the children of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, “Why have you given us but one lot and one portion to inherit, since we are a great people, inasmuch as the LORD has blessed us until now?”
So Joshua answered them, “If you are a great people, then go up to the forest country and clear a place for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and the giants, since the mountains of Ephraim are too confined for you.”
But the children of Joseph said, “The mountain country is not enough for us; and all the Canaanites who dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both those who are of Beth Shean and its towns and those who are of the Valley of Jezreel.”
And Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph – to Ephraim and Manasseh – saying, “You are a great people and have great power; you shall not have one lot only, but the mountain country shall be yours. Although it is wooded, you shall cut it down, and its farthest extent shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots and are strong.”
(Josh. 17:14-18)
Just as Joshua spoke words of encouragement, we should help remind our brothers and sisters in the Lord of what God says about them and their ability to overcome.
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Joe Cameneti Sr. is the lead pastor of Believers Church, located in his hometown of Warren, Ohio. Pastor Joe, along with his wife Gina, pioneered Believers Church in 1983 following his graduation from Bible School.
In addition to leading a thriving local church, Pastor Joe is the host of a weekly show called "BCTV." The program is aired locally on WFMJ, the NBC affiliate, reaching thousands weekly.
Pastor Joe is a gifted communicator, skilled in the art of building bridges to unchurched America. Transparent and authentic, you'll walk away challenged and encouraged to connect with God in a deeper way.