Have you ever found yourself feeling incredibly weak?
I’m not talking about how much you can lift at the gym (although I do need to get back on track!); instead, the type of feeling where you have little motivation moving forward. It’s the type of weakness where the attacks against your mind are constant, and there’s a lack of a will to fight. There’s a greater struggle to do what has been done before.
To be honest, that’s me.
Perhaps it is the spiritual warfare from praying and fasting as a group of us have dedicated ourselves to pray for our nation up to the election. I’m not sure, but what I do know is that I feel ‘raw’ – almost exposed and vulnerable. I have a heightened sensitivity that can easily mess with my emotions and focus on my insecurities instead. As I try to shake through this, I am reminded of the psalmist’s words, “my soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your Word.” (Psalm 119:28).
Strengthen me, Lord, strengthen me.
As mentioned above, true, lasting strength comes from the Scriptures. Therefore, it is all the more reason to list a few verses on strengthening because I feel that I am not the only one who needs it. Let’s look at a few together:
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” – Exodus 14:14
It’s important to remember that there are times we don’t have to fight – God will do it for us! Now, this doesn’t mean we do not do anything – we are to pray that His will be done in our circumstances. But there are times where fighting as we know it would be in our own strength, not in the Lord’s. When that happens, it’s an invitation to trust that God is working on our behalf and will do the heavy lifting for us.
We see this beautifully demonstrated in the verse above as it was mentioned to the Israelites after leaving Egypt. They were terrified since they had no place to go – Pharaoh and his army were behind them and a wall of water was in front of them. What were they to do? They didn’t have the experience to take on Pharaoh’s army! Yet God had a plan as He parted the Red Sea for Moses and the Israelites to walk over on dry land safely to the other side.
You may feel pressed in on every side and not sure where to go or what to do, but have you looked up to God first? Have you quieted your soul and trusted that the best thing you can do right now is to be still and see the deliverance of the Lord? The Lord loves to fight on behalf of His children in ways beyond what we can do in our own strength. In this way, God gets the glory as we step aside and witness His wonder-working power.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 40:21
Fear – false evidence appearing real. Even if we know this, fear can paralyze us from walking out our calling as we fall back on excuses to be comfortable and complacent.
God reminds us that He will strengthen us and help us in those places we dread. Many times in the Bible, the words ‘do not fear’ are repeated, do you know why? God calls us to go beyond the shallow waters into the unknown and lovingly challenge us to take steps of faith beyond what we understand or can and see.
It is ironic in this way that our weakness becomes God’s strength. Faith beckons us to go to those unanswered and unsure places, making us feel weak and fearful. At that moment, God strengthens us because it is beyond our own capacity to uphold us, and God gives us exactly what we need to keep moving. He alone can provide us with the power to move past the fear to get to a place He wants us to be.
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
There’s power in hope – a sure foundation that God will do what He says He will do. When we recall the promises of God in our lives, we are reminded of His purposes through us. He has great things in store for you… they are coming! Taking hold of God’s word and remembering that He is faithful to do so will give you the motivation to get past the heavy discouragement.
We have all been in a place where hopelessness can take the ‘wind out of your sails’. When hope is absent, people give in to a dismal reality and give up. Even battles have been lost when hope is not found!
Hence the more reason to hope in Christ so you can be strengthened from your inner being. God and God alone can sustain you so you will not stumble and stay the course, even if you cannot see those promises that God gave you. Keep pressing in!
These few verses were just a sample of many God has stored in His Word to strengthen you throughout this week. Whatever it is that you are going through, God has not left you alone to deal with it. Foremost, He desires that you come to Him with your feelings of unbelief and uncertainty. He is the source, so He will give you the strength you need to fulfill your calling, complete an assignment, or get through the day. God is with you! Turn to Him in your weakness and see what He will do to strengthen you.
Have a blessed week!
“Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.” – 1 Chronicles 16:11