Called to a New NormalSample

A Wall in the Way

All of us face spiritual resistance when stepping into the land that God is calling us into, because the stakes are considerably higher. That’s why all of Scripture frames the spiritual growth that results in a physically different life as a battle – a battle with ourselves, and with spiritual forces of evil. When we get serious about growing in our faith, going deeper in our connection with God, and finding the land God has called us to explore, the resistance will be real, intense, and fierce. No matter how good our intentions are, even the best of us will hit a wall, a challenge that will test our resolve and make us question whether we had any business setting out on this journey in the first place.

Tucked within the Old Testament story of Joshua we see that the strength a new normal requires is not defined within the typical boundaries of how we seek strength. Not only does God tell Joshua repeatedly not to be afraid, but God also tells him over and over to “be strong and courageous,” (Josh. 1:9). That is perhaps easier said than done, especially in a world where strength is so ambiguously defined. What exactly does it mean to be strong or to act strong? Is being brave synonymous with big muscles, rigid determination, or utter fearlessness? I’ve actually seen the contrary; we often have our most primal encounter with fear just as God calls us into the new normal. Experiencing that feeling of fear doesn’t necessarily mean you are in the wrong place at the wrong time. It often means you are on the precipice of the new land God is calling you to enter. 

At some point in our lives, we all find ourselves staring at some new and unfamiliar land God is calling us to take, inhabited by some new and unfamiliar enemy. The thrill of the adventure of coming into something new is real, but the threat of the battle is very real too.

I’ve been in that very same place. And when I hit that wall, a verse that previously didn’t mean much to me or make me feel anything in particular was somehow brought back to me and illuminated in a way that felt undeniably clear, personal, and direct... “For you girded me with strength for the battle; you made my assailants sink under me” (Ps. 18:39, NRSV). 

Having this verse as a clear word from God didn’t mean I was also given a five-year plan, a GPS, or even clear directions for what to do in the next moment. There were still plenty of things I did not know about the road ahead. But here’s what I did know for sure: God was with me in the battle, and that would be enough.

“When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.” (Psalm 27:2-3 NLT)