The Lion You're Afraid to Face
“Be strong and of good courage.” — Joshua 1:9
In Healing the Masculine Soul, Gordon Dalbey tells a remarkable story. A pastor friend once shared with him about a man in his church who was tormented by a recurring dream: each night, a ferocious lion chased him until he collapsed in terror and woke up screaming.
Trying to help, the pastor suggested a few interpretations. Perhaps the lion represented a fear—his wife, his responsibilities, or some pressure he felt. But with each suggestion, the man grew more frustrated. None of it fit.
Finally, the pastor decided they needed clarity beyond guesswork. He prayed for the Father’s love and protection, invited Jesus into the moment, and asked the Holy Spirit for wisdom and revelation. Then, prompted by a gentle impulse, he asked the man to visualize the dream again—even with all its fear.
Hesitantly, the man agreed. Soon he reported, “The lion is in sight… and he’s coming toward me.”
This time the pastor encouraged him, “Don’t run. Stand your ground. And when the lion reaches you, ask him who he is and why he keeps appearing.”
You can imagine the man’s fear:
“He’s right in front of me… snorting… shaking his head,” the man whispered.
But he obeyed. He stood. And he asked the question.
The answer stunned him.
“I am your courage and your strength,” the lion said. “Why are you running from me?”
What a revelation. What a question.
Is it possible that many men—including good men, responsible men, men with potential—are not running from danger, but from their own God-given courage and strength?
No wonder God’s first words to Joshua on the edge of his greatest assignment were, “Be strong and of good courage.” God wasn’t asking Joshua to manufacture something new; He was calling him to stop running from what He had already placed inside him.
A Personal Word
When I think about absent fathers in our country, the statistics tell one story, but my own childhood tells another. My father lived only eight miles across town, yet I saw him once or twice growing up. I carried shame, humiliation, and rejection for years. I told kids my father was an out-of-town truck driver—anything to protect myself.
But looking back, I wonder:
Was he running from me, or was he running from his own courage?
Was he repeating what had been done to him?
I don’t excuse it, but I understand it now in a deeper way. Many men aren’t running from responsibility—they’re running from the lion of courage that looks too big, too fierce, too demanding to face.
Yet even in that absence, God provided for me. And if you’re carrying rejection or shame because of who wasn’t there for you—God will provide for you too.
As Hagar declared in the desert, “You are the God who sees me” (Genesis 16:13).
The Father who sees you also strengthens you.
He never asks you to run—only to stand.
So hear His words to Joshua again, spoken now over you:
Be strong.
Be of good courage.
Stop running.
Your strength is not your enemy—it is your assignment.
Grace to you,
Cedric
Traditionalwriter@yahoo.com
In Healing the Masculine Soul, Gordon Dalbey tells a remarkable story. A pastor friend once shared with him about a man in his church who was tormented by a recurring dream: each night, a ferocious lion chased him until he collapsed in terror and woke up screaming.
Trying to help, the pastor suggested a few interpretations. Perhaps the lion represented a fear—his wife, his responsibilities, or some pressure he felt. But with each suggestion, the man grew more frustrated. None of it fit.
Finally, the pastor decided they needed clarity beyond guesswork. He prayed for the Father’s love and protection, invited Jesus into the moment, and asked the Holy Spirit for wisdom and revelation. Then, prompted by a gentle impulse, he asked the man to visualize the dream again—even with all its fear.
Hesitantly, the man agreed. Soon he reported, “The lion is in sight… and he’s coming toward me.”
This time the pastor encouraged him, “Don’t run. Stand your ground. And when the lion reaches you, ask him who he is and why he keeps appearing.”
You can imagine the man’s fear:
“He’s right in front of me… snorting… shaking his head,” the man whispered.
But he obeyed. He stood. And he asked the question.
The answer stunned him.
“I am your courage and your strength,” the lion said. “Why are you running from me?”
What a revelation. What a question.
Is it possible that many men—including good men, responsible men, men with potential—are not running from danger, but from their own God-given courage and strength?
No wonder God’s first words to Joshua on the edge of his greatest assignment were, “Be strong and of good courage.” God wasn’t asking Joshua to manufacture something new; He was calling him to stop running from what He had already placed inside him.
A Personal Word
When I think about absent fathers in our country, the statistics tell one story, but my own childhood tells another. My father lived only eight miles across town, yet I saw him once or twice growing up. I carried shame, humiliation, and rejection for years. I told kids my father was an out-of-town truck driver—anything to protect myself.
But looking back, I wonder:
Was he running from me, or was he running from his own courage?
Was he repeating what had been done to him?
I don’t excuse it, but I understand it now in a deeper way. Many men aren’t running from responsibility—they’re running from the lion of courage that looks too big, too fierce, too demanding to face.
Yet even in that absence, God provided for me. And if you’re carrying rejection or shame because of who wasn’t there for you—God will provide for you too.
As Hagar declared in the desert, “You are the God who sees me” (Genesis 16:13).
The Father who sees you also strengthens you.
He never asks you to run—only to stand.
So hear His words to Joshua again, spoken now over you:
Be strong.
Be of good courage.
Stop running.
Your strength is not your enemy—it is your assignment.
Grace to you,
Cedric
Traditionalwriter@yahoo.com
Recent
Archive
2026
January
One of the Best Things to Have in LifeGood New YorkerGood ShepherdCan I Be Angry?Bottom-Up & Top-DownDesire Reveals DesignOne of My Favorite Verses in the Old TestamentStanding or KneelingAre We Trapped in Privilege?Love That Refuses to Let GoSweet SpotThrone RoomBlinded and BlessedYou Can’t QuitNeed a Little Motivation?When Mercy Has the Last WordMercy Is Your Best DefenseThe Fight of FormationThe God Who Gives God AwayWhen God’s Time Meets Your TimeGod’s Overwhelming GenerosityTeach Us to Use Our Time WellSomething Is Wrong with EverythingGrace Is Easy to MissShow People Your Skills Before Your NeedsFailure Doesn’t Happen OvernightLonging for Things to Be Good Again?
February
God’s Overwhelming GenerosityLove Is Not LawlessWhat You Really Want from GodPlaying God?God Is Not Disappointed With YouGrace With GearsPlaying God?Will to LiveA God Who Pursues, Not PunishesGrace or Control? The Greatest Trap Isn't What You ThinkYour biggest fear might be your biggest opportunity CopyEnter God’s Rest — The Golden Key Rise Above the Basement VoicesGet Out of Grace’s WayPainful but Profitable
March
I Know You’re Hungry for SomethingHow Much Longer?I Know You’re Hungry for SomethingUse Your EdgeWhy Don’t People Finish Life Well?Get It DoneWhy Did This Happen to Me?Balcony or Basement People?Life Is Short. Live.Run Through the TapeThe Golden HourFinal Reflections from the RoadKeep It PositiveTrying to Make Sense of It All
April
2025
July
A God Who Pursues, Not PunishesStop Giving Yourself a PassWelcome to the Broken & Messy Christian ClubStitched Together ClothesGrace or Control?The Greatest Trap Isn't What You ThinkSurround Yourself with Good PeopleWhen Work Feels EmptyChristians Are a Mess—Before and AfterDidn't Have a Clue of What Grace WasGreat at Receiving Grace—but Poor at Giving It?Are You Standing in the Way of Grace?Still Playing the Old Game?A New Beginning Starts HereAfter SixtyJesus’ Rhythm: A Life Worth ImitatingDeserts: Where God Does His Deepest WorkSeeing the Whole Field: Trusting God in Suffering
Categories
no categories
1 Comment
Great message