Into the Storm - Be strong and Courageous
“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.” — Joshua 1:9
The Storm on the Horizon
The sky darkens over the plains long before the rain begins. Winds ripple through the tall grass, bending it in waves. Thunder rolls across the distance like the slow beat of a drum, and the earth seems to hold its breath. Most creatures on the plains sense what’s coming and turn away—searching for cover, safety, and escape.
But not the bison.
When the clouds gather and the wind sharpens, the bison do something remarkable. They lower their heads and walk directly into the storm. While other animals flee, the bison face the fury head-on. It seems counterintuitive—why move toward the danger? Yet, in that single act lies one of creation’s most powerful parables: the wisdom of facing hardship instead of running from it.
It’s a lesson about courage, endurance, and faith.
The Way of the Bison
Where cattle turn and try to outrun a storm, bison move through it. Because the storm moves faster than those who flee, cattle often remain beneath the darkness far longer than necessary. The bison, by contrast, shorten their struggle. By facing the wind, they reach clearer skies sooner.
They don’t fight the storm—they accept it. They seem to know instinctively that peace lies beyond the chaos, and the only path to that peace is through the heart of the storm itself. That image—the bison pressing forward through lightning and wind—echoes the words God spoke to Joshua:
“Be strong and courageous.” - It is not a call to escape adversity, but an invitation to trust God enough to walk through it.
Facing Our Own Storms
Each of us faces storms—grief, loss, fear, uncertainty, and disappointment. Sometimes they gather slowly on the horizon; other times they break over us without warning, leaving us drenched and trembling. Our first instinct is often to run. We search for an easier way out, a safer road, a moment of relief. We want to skip the suffering, avoid the pain, and move directly to the part where everything makes sense again. But Scripture rarely paints faith as the art of avoiding storms. It paints it as the strength to stand firm within them.
Faith looks like Joshua, trembling at the edge of the Jordan, stepping forward because he believed God’s promise was greater than his fear. And that same voice that spoke to Joshua still whispers to us today: “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” God does not always remove the storm. But He never leaves us to walk through it alone.
Strength in the Face of Adversity
The bison’s strength lies not only in its frame but in its mindset. They do not waste energy running from what cannot be avoided. They move forward with calm purpose, confident that the storm will not last forever. When we choose to trust God in the midst of hardship, we discover a similar truth. Courage is not born from avoiding pain—it grows when we meet it with faith. Storms have a way of stripping away illusions and revealing what truly anchors us. They remind us that comfort never grows character, but challenge does. When we face what we fear, we encounter the depth of God’s presence—and realize His faithfulness is stronger than any wind that blows against us.
The Courage of Stillness
There’s something sacred in the way a bison endures the storm—head bowed, shoulders squared, eyes unblinking. It is not a stance of panic, but of peace. That stillness is its own form of courage. It brings to mind Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Stillness is not idleness. It is trust. It is the quiet confidence that even when we cannot see the way forward, God can.
To be still in the storm means to anchor ourselves in the One who commands the wind. It means to move forward, not with haste or fear, but with deliberate faith. The bison remind us that courage is often quiet—a steady obedience that presses on even when visibility is low and the winds are fierce.
The Beauty Beyond the Storm
No storm lasts forever. Eventually, the clouds part, the rain eases, and light spills once more across the plains. When the bison emerge on the other side, rain clinging to their coats, steam rising from their breath, they stand renewed. The air feels clean again, the earth refreshed.
So it is with us.
Every storm we endure with God transforms us. The struggle is not wasted—it refines us. We emerge stronger, humbler, and more aware of the One who carried us through. The storms that once seemed unbearable become the very places where faith grew roots.
Lessons from the Plains
If you stand quietly and watch a herd of bison, you’ll begin to understand: they are living sermons.
In their strength, we see wisdom.
In their endurance, we see strength.
In their posture, we see peace.
Through them, God whispers to us: “You were not made to flee. You were made to endure.” Faith is not the absence of fear. It is the choice to move forward despite it. It is the belief that the storm is not punishment, but preparation. Like the bison, we are called to turn our faces toward the wind—not because we are fearless, but because our Shepherd walks before us.
Walking with Joshua’s Courage
Joshua’s calling was daunting. The land before him was vast and filled with obstacles. Yet God’s promise was clear: “I will be with you wherever you go.” That same promise is ours. When storms rise—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—we are not abandoned. We are accompanied by the God who commands the wind and the waves.
Like Joshua, we are called to obedience.
Like the bison, we are called to perseverance.
Faith does not deny the storm’s power, but it trusts in a greater power still.
On the other side of obedience, there is always peace.
Into the Storm
The bison’s courage teaches a timeless truth: the way out of hardship is rarely backward—it is forward. And forward is where God meets us. He does not ask for perfection; He asks for faithfulness. He does not demand fearlessness; He invites trust. When the sky darkens and the winds rise, remember the bison.
Remember Joshua.
Remember that God has already gone before you.
Lower your head. Plant your feet. Take the next steps
The same God who commands the storm also commands your journey.
Be Strong. Be Courageous. Move Forward.
“The storm will not last forever. But the strength you gain from walking through it—with God at your side—will.”
Move forward in faith.
Face the wind.
Trust the One who is faithful through every storm.
Because sometimes, the only way to the light—is through the storm.
Scripture References
Joshua 1:9 – Be strong and courageous.
Psalm 46:10 – Be still, and know that I am God.
Isaiah 41:10 – Do not fear, for I am with you.
Closing Reflection
There’s a quiet beauty in the way God writes His lessons into creation. The bison’s story is not about survival—it’s about trust. It’s about moving forward with courage, knowing that even in the fiercest storm, you are never alone. So the next time clouds gather in your life, lift your eyes to the horizon and remember:
You were made to endure.