Are there ever days where you feel like you just may not make it through? The burdens of life just may get the best of you. Getting out of bed means you have to face your troubles, so you just hide under the softness of your comforter. I don't think any of us could say no to that question. Or if it's a"no", it's more like a "not yet."
We all think we are strong, until we are not. We are strong until the moment comes when our worlds are shaken. All it takes is one phone call, or walking into a doctor's office, or our position at work is cut, or the oncoming car crosses the center line. All it takes is one moment and our strength crumbles like a sand castle to a wave.
If stress and difficulties are a guarantee, how do we cope and make it through? Where do we find the strength to pull back the covers, crawl out of bed, put some mascara on and face the day with confidence?
Ever present help in trouble...isn't that nice to know! Isn't it nice to know we have someone to lean on and don't have to carry the load of life all by ourselves. When our own strength is not enough we can rely on the supernatural power of God. "Blessed are those whose strength is in you." Psalm 84:5.
We are weak and He is strong
Our first step is to acknowledge we are weak. When we are strong we don't think we need God. We think we can handle everything on our own, and that we have everything under control. When we acknowledge that more often than not our strength is not enough on our own, God is there to give us His divine strength. "He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:29-31.
He does give us a condition here to rely on His strength-we need to have our hope placed in Him. We need to trust Him before our time of need and in our time of need. We cannot access His divine strength without placing our faith in Him. So again, we need to believe in order to receive. We need to acknowledge that we are in fact weak and He is strong. Our own self-sufficiency will only carry us so far.
How do we Cope
There are so many other ways to try and cope in this world. We can escape the pressure by hopping online and doing a little retail therapy or pouring another glass of wine or downing a pint of Ben and Jerry's. In the end what do these ways of coping get you besides more debt, a headache, and another pound added on the scale? They may have felt good in the moment, but is strength what we find in them? The band-aid still will not stop the bleeding of a bullet hole.
God promises us He will give us strength to get through whatever we may face. So when your strength has come to it's end and you need a little of God's supernatural strength, all you have to do is ask. Here is a little prayer for you if you don't know the words to say...
Heavenly Father, I need your help. I just don't have the strength to do it on my own today. Help me in my weakness. Please give me your strength and help carry my burdens. I surrender to the fact that I don't have enough power on my own, and I need to lean on you for your divine strength. Thank you for always being by my side. Thank you for always being there when I need you. Thank you for loving me in all of my weakness. In Jesus' name~Amen
I am always uplifted and renewed when I open my Bible and turn to some verses for encouragement. I have a better mindset to take on what is in front of me when I am equipped with the Word.
Bible Verses to Renew Your Strength
Joshua 1:9 - "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.”
Phillipians 4:13 - "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
Deuteronomy 31:6 - "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Psalm 29:11 - "The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace."
Isaiah 41:10 - "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."
Psalm 73:26 - "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Isaiah 33:2 - "Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress."
Ephesians 3:16 - "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
Proberbs 24:5 - "The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength."
Isaiah 40:29-31 - "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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.
Psalm 28:7-8 "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one."
