Be strong and courageous

Deut 1:21 See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Deut 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

2 Chron 15: 7 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."

There are many more. Looks like humans freak out a lot. Well, yes. Life freaks me out. Perhaps I think too much.

But the last 2 years have freaked me out heaps. I always seem to be standing at the edge of a cliff and there's no where to go but forward. What I see in front of me makes me want to run screaming backward, or jump off, or divert. But there's no where to go. To jump would be suicide. To go backward would be almost impossible and it would be admitting defeat. 

The prospects look so gloomy: Ailing market (asians hardly buy music anymore?). Perverted world views in the industry. Inadequate musical/technical skills. Seeming mediocrity (looks, talent etc). Lack of business experience and sense. Can't DIY all by myself. Can't find the right partners and collaborators. Lack of creative ideas. Can't relate locally. Age catching up with me. I'm not black. I'm not white. I'm not male and technical and a multi-instrumentalist. 

What does one do? 

I'm sure that the giants of Canaan looked huge to Israel. But can I be Joshua/Caleb and see that the Lord will deliver the giants into my hands? Can I acknowledge reality, but also see the reality of having God by my side?  Can I be Abraham and believe, that against all physical and obvious evidence,  it is still possible to bear fruit if the Lord has promised it?