When was the last time you were worn out? Maybe from a lack of sleep because of little ones. Or maybe you are stressed over things in your life that are out of your control. Or maybe worry over your kids, parents, finances, work, marriage has got you at the end of your rope and you can’t figure out how you will find enough strength to make it through today.
We’ve all been there. It’s part of life and the key for us to find victory in the times when we have nothing left in our tanks or when we are at the end of our rope physically, mentally and emotionally, is what we do next. Where do you find your strength?
David, King David, gave us a great example. In 1 Samuel 30:6b we see that “David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” I know some of you may read that and think “well sure, he had it all. He was king and things weren’t as bad for him as they are for me”. Wrong. This verse comes at a terrible point in David’s life. He was facing a huge loss and devastation from his enemy who had broken into camp and taken all their women and children hostage. Imagine how well that went over and many of his own men were blaming him and talking of stoning him. David had no guarantee that he would get his family back unharmed or alive. No guarantee that he would be able to defeat his enemy or regain the trust of his men.
So what did he do? Did he go shopping? Eat chocolate? Call up some friends to vent? Write a scathing blog about people who blame him unfairly? No. He stopped and strengthened himself in the Lord his God. And my friends, that is exactly what we need to be in the habit of doing. Go to God first. Scripture tells us over and over that “The joy of the Lord is your strength” and that the Lord is our strength at all times. What does it look like to be ‘strengthened in the Lord’ or how do we actually do that?
I’m not sure what works for you but for me most of the time it is reminding myself of the Truth I know in His Word, which means we need to be in the Word. It may be singing praise songs to turn my focus off myself or my circumstances and onto my God. It sometimes means just saying a verse like a mantra to myself when I feel weakest. Whatever is going on that is draining your strength, be encouraged, God is there to be your strength if you will seek Him and call on Him. Remember that the Bible also says “When we are weak then we are strong” and maybe that is the reminder we all need today. Not on our own but on the power of our Lord can we face what is coming our way today or tomorrow. King David did and in the following verses we read about his overwhelming victory against his enemies. I don’t know about you but I’m ready for some victory!!!
Here are a few verses to check out if you are feeling weak and needing some strength. Please reply and share with everyone else some of the ways that you have strengthened yourself in the Lord.
- Nehemiah 8:10
- Psalm 28:8
- Psalm 145:14
- Isaiah 41:10
- Isaiah 40:28-31
- Phil. 4:13
- 2 Timothy 4:17-18
- 1 Peter 5:10
JOYfully,
Rachel
Love this word