Congratulations on your graduation!

Graduation ceremonies remind me of a story found in the Old Testament book of Joshua. For years Joshua, for whom the book is named, had been Moses' right-hand man. He'd been entrusted by God to succeed Moses in leading more than of 2 million people out of the wilderness and into the long-sought-after Promised Land.

This promotion brought a lot of pressure: grumbling followers, a nomadic existence, tribes of people who needed to be separated and given places to live and an army that had to be led into battle. There was much that needed his attention, many reasons to be afraid.

Every time we move from one normal to another there are reasons to be afraid. From the normal of high school to the new normal of what's next; moving from the normal of one job to a new normal of another. Adjusting from the normal health you've experienced to the new normal of just not being able to do all that you used to. Every time there is a change from what you know as normal to the new normal there is reason to be afraid. It seems that's what Joshua felt.

Yet God did something amazing. He pulled Joshua to the side and shared with him these words, "Have I not commanded you be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9).

God knew what Joshua was thinking; He knew what he was feeling. God knew that when Joshua looked at all that he was supposed to do and all that he was responsible for, the only clear emotion he could grasp was fear. You can almost hear Joshua in the text saying to himself, "What do I do now?"

The Lord can hear that from you as well. You don't have to hide it. The solution to fear, though, isn't to sit and wait, but in faith he was to rest in the promise already given to him by God -- be courageous, get up and go.

Your new normal may strike the strongest chord of fear within you that you've ever felt. Yet faith in God, in all His power and might, can allow you to be strong, courageous and not discouraged because He is there.

Don't be afraid. Get up. Go.

Robert Hurtgen is a husband, father, minister and writer. Read more of him at robhurtgen.wordpress.com.