When the Battle Feels Too Big

Ask God for the courage to face what you’ve postponed.

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

“There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a human being. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel!”
(Joshua 10:14)

I recently heard a story of a man who trained for months to run the Chicago Marathon, however halfway into the race everything fell apart. It started with cramps, then blisters, dehydration, and then doubt set in, but he kept going, even though his body said otherwise. Hours later, long after most of the other runners crossed the finish line, he made it. People cheered not because he was fast but because he refused to give up.

Some of us have walked away from something we knew God called us to—not because we stopped caring but because it became harder than we expected. Maybe it was restoring a relationship, stepping into ministry, returning to school, or breaking a destructive habit. At first, we had energy and excitement, but over time obstacles grew, doubts crept in, and eventually we quit.

Today, I want to invite you to take a bold step, not based on how confident you feel right at this moment but based on the unchanging faithfulness of God. He hasn’t forgotten what He started in you, and He hasn’t given up on the work He placed in your heart.

In Joshua 10, Joshua found himself facing a battle far bigger than he expected. Earlier in the text, we read that he had avoided dealing with a smaller issue and, because of that, faced five kings in battle instead of one. Avoiding battles doesn’t make them disappear but often multiplies them. But Scripture says that when Joshua moved toward what God had already called him to face, then God spoke. Some of us are waiting for a fresh word from God but He’s waiting for obedience to the word He’s already given. As Joshua stepped forward, God stepped in and secured victory.

The story didn’t end there. Determined to finish the fight, Joshua prayed one of the boldest prayers in Scripture: “Sun, stand still.” And God did the impossible. The day stretched, the battle was won and Joshua learned what we often forget: Sometimes finishing requires faith that looks irrational to everyone but God.

Maybe you’ve left a battle unfinished. Maybe something still grips you, a calling lies unfinished, or a relationship remains unresolved. God isn’t calling you to retrace old steps. He’s calling you to rise with faith and say, “It’s not over.” Because He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.

Bold Step Challenge:
Identify one battle in your life that you’ve been avoiding, whether spiritual, emotional, relational, or related to personal growth, and take one intentional step toward addressing it this week.

Prayer:
Dear God, give me the courage to face what I’ve postponed and the faith to believe You will finish what You started in me. Strengthen my hands where I’m weary and renew my heart where I’ve lost hope. Help me fight with Your strength, walk in obedience, and trust You with the outcome. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Listen to the sermon: Crazy Bold Faith

Part 1Part 2

Ministry Update from Mark

This fall, my heart was deeply stirred during a visit to Moody Aviation in Spokane. This is more than an aviation school—it’s a launchpad for world change. Since the 1940s, Moody Aviation has answered a sacred calling to equip courageous pilots and mechanics to reach remote and isolated communities around the globe. These “jungle pilots” use their skills to bring help, hope, and the love of Christ to places where traditional travel simply isn’t possible.

Standing on the airfield and seeing their fleet of 16 training aircraft, I was struck by the weight of nearly 80 years of faithful service. The legacy is profound, the mission is clear, and the impact—past, present, and future—is deeply inspiring. Thank you for partnering with ministries that continue to equip the next generation to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. Learn more at www.moody.edu/aviation.