I remember one time when I was the new girl at a predominantly white high school. After moving out of the city and into the suburbs, the educational differences were a shock to my system. I was used to the inner city where classrooms were full of other students that looked just like me. Suddenly, my environment drastically changed. Minorities were the minority at Kenmore West High School. There were about five black kids in the entire student population.

Three, actually, if you don’t count me and my sister.

We were fish out of water. I had no friends and many of my classmates gazed at me oddly, without speaking. It felt intimidating to see that, of all the peer groups, I was a member of none of them. I was the outsider. To make matters worse, much of the subject matter was well beyond what I had previously studied, so I fell behind.

During some classes, I would sleep the whole time. I don’t think I was necessarily sleepy, but it was almost as if my brain shut down for lack of understanding.

One day, my instructor shook me out of my stupor when we were discussing American history and how some families had made their way out of poverty by starting small businesses. When I was asked to share my own experiences, I didn’t want to, but the teacher insisted. I felt all those pairs of eyeballs on me. I thought my nerves alone would activate my gag reflex. But I didn’t lose my composure or my stomach—thank God.

I shared that my family’s lifestyle was very humble, even though Dad owned a restaurant in which I worked. What we made wasn’t nearly enough to make us one of those rich-people-success-stories or anything. Because of that, I didn’t think our little steak shop mattered, until my teacher’s eyes lit up. He was impressed by our efforts and began using the details I shared to draw comparisons to historical events.

Suddenly, through the lens of my own experiences, the lesson came alive. Also, children began talking to me, asking questions about my origins and getting to know the person who appeared so different. I wasn’t expecting all that. I realized that talking in front of an entire classroom, though it scared me and made me uncomfortable, was an effective way to share my voice.

Still today,  opening up often proves challenging for me. I want to recoil and retreat, but I don't.

You know why?

Because in order to walk in my purpose, I must resist fear and embrace faith. I have to place my full confidence in the Lord and keep on marching toward destiny. The same is true for you.

Satan is trying so hard to discourage you because he knows you're about to step into something truly great. Resist him & keep pressing!

God will place you in positions where you feel uncomfortable, uncertain, completely inept and unsure about what your next steps should be. You may be there now.  If so, keep on going. Press forward. Don’t be intimidated by the uncertainty of it all, because if God told you to go forward, there’s a blessing on the other side.

In Joshua 1:2, the Lord told him, “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them…” Then, in verse 3, God said to Joshua, “I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.”

What an awesome promise!  While it was exciting, that also meant they had to get to stepping. They were about to walk into something, as long as they were willing to act on God’s word.

In chapter 3, we learn that Israel had to cross the Jordan River before entering the Promised Land. In verse 15 of that chapter, we see that it wasn’t until the feet of the priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant touched the water that a miracle occurred. The water stood up in a heap and all of Israel was able to cross on dry land. But what if the priests were too afraid to get their feet wet? They would have never seen a move of God like that.

Friend, you can’t be afraid to get your feet wet. In other words, don’t be too scared to step out in faith.

If you truly know God has commanded you to move forward, obey Him. Place your full confidence in the Lord and His faithfulness to fulfill His word, and go ahead and put your feet in the water.  Don’t allow the enemy to intimidate you and make you shrink away from your predestined purpose.

Don’t fall victim to his schemes to keep you out of your place of promise.

There are some things you can have, do and be, but they will require an initial step of faith like Abraham made in Genesis 12. In verse 1, God told him to leave everything he knew behind and go to a place that would later be revealed.

If Abraham never took any steps, he would have missed out on what God was doing. Don’t miss out. Start taking steps.

When it gets hard, keep on stepping.

You might have to cry sometimes, but keep on stepping.

The road may be long and rocky, but keep on stepping.

You may feel like giving up, but command your feelings to be subject to the plan of God and keep on stepping.

You're about to walk into something truly great!

To help you continue moving forward, I’m stirring the words God spoke in Joshua 1:9 NIV into your cup of inspiration, which says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

As you drink down the contents of your cup, use this word as an antidote for fear and discouragement.

Believe that you are about to step into something great, because it's true.

You are.

Know that you have an inheritance waiting for you. There are things the Lord will do and doors He will open if you step out on His word. Just keep on stepping.

Go forth in His name.

Now let’s pray together.

God, I believe I am about to step into something great. At the same time, the enemy is coming after me, working hard to introduce doubt, fear and discouragement. But I rebuke any defeated thoughts and place my full confidence in You. I know You will take me to the place You have preordained for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!

If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with you. I know that prayer works. CLICK HEREto learn how to submit your prayer request.