Remembering the Source of Your Strength

Remembering the Source of Your Strength

What is the source of your strength? Do you feel capable of conquering the world some days while other days you wonder how to accomplish bare minimum? The latter is rather where I’ve been stuck the last few weeks. So much to do and how to do it all?

I’ve worked hard to streamline my schedule, be efficient and not waste time. And you know what? It all feels to no avail! But God has blessed me with a refreshed spirit for what I have to do, and I want to share what I’ve learned so that you too might be refreshed!

The Battle

It’s not uncommon to not feel up to it. Whatever your ‘it’ is – perhaps it is that you don’t have the energy, the enthusiasm, the strength or the time to do what is expected of you. It is completely understandable to have those moments, but they don’t have to paralyze you from moving forward! Don’t get caught up comparing yourself to others or considering all that you’ve missed or failed to do!

When you feel fear or apprehension begin to sneak up on you, you must remind yourself of the Source of your Strength – God! And let me tell you something, God’s design is perfect, no doubt about it! We fall short and get run down – we aren’t perfect – but He is! So wherever your fear or concern that is overwhelming you lies, know that there is a perfect truth in God’s Word just waiting to overcome it!

God’s Word is full of perfect responses to every form of overwhelm. Rather than vainly trying to combat overwhelm, fatigue, sadness or anything else on our own, we should combat it with God’s Word!

• Are you feeling down? Psalm 103:5a says “He fills my life with good things”. Good things are in your life – why not switch your focus to those?!
• Physically tired and worn out? Isaiah 40:31 “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength”. Sometimes stopping now is not an option. I’ve been there more than once. (One late night, I was carrying one of the last dishes to the sink and happened upon a whole cluster (similar to a herd…) of spiders building a web out of the air vent. Oh. Gross. That was one of those times when stopping wasn’t an option.) God has given me strength when I had nothing left to give!
• Are you nervous? Psalm 18:2 says “My God is my rock” or how about Psalm 108:1 “My heart is confident in You, O God; no wonder I can sing Your praises with all my heart!” That’s one of my personal favorites!

Combat

How do we combat life’s struggles with God’s Word? Repeat Scripture to yourself! Perhaps you don’t have it memorized – then you should find key verses and memorize them! That’s part of having God’s Word written on your heart! Scripture is the best thing that you can ever fill your mind with!

To help give you an idea of how I utilize Scripture, let me share a story.

Earlier last week, as I unloaded containers of clothing to set up a table at a local shop, I was bombarded with overwhelming nervousness. (Keep in mind, this is the fifth time that I have set up at this shop, so to blame the nervousness on the fear of not knowing how it would go wasn’t even an option!)

My nervousness led to fatigue before I could even get it in check. The fatigue made me concerned that I might trip and dump my load … and nobody wants to do that! My reserves, my energy and enthusiasm, that I had moments before were all gone – until I remembered the Source of my Strength!

“Thank You for giving me sure footing,” I began praying as I walked and made specific effort to pick my feet up so as not to trip. “Thank You for filling me with confidence and enthusiasm for what You have for me to do!” These prayers were silent, but they were based on truths found in Scripture (Psalm 143:10 and Psalm 108:1). And what a difference they made!

Do you know, the unloading was completed without calamity and I was able to boldly and gratefully set up my table! (A kind lady even came over and helped me – how’s that for a nice bonus?!)

Victory!

And all this leads me to what I was reminded of: trust God.

Wholly and completely.

I feel that He has placed a lot on my heart to do and to accomplish, and the last few weeks I’ve been overwhelmed wondering “How?”. I want to say “Yes, Lord!” to where He leads me, but I also want to know that I am serving Him to the best of my ability! And when I feel that I’m not measuring up, I wonder – do You really think that I am capable of all that?

I don’t mean to doubt. I really don’t.

And then one day, earlier this week in fact, I had an epiphany! I felt as if God said that He would help me do what He had for me to do! And of course He will! He’s God! How silly of me to have felt burdened and overwhelmed! I should never forget that He is the source of my strength! He is my “how”!

I hope this encourages your heart! Please feel free to share your story below or just leave a note!

“But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do.” – Psalm 73:28

Dear friend, let’s remember to let God be God! He is truly wonderful!

Until Next Time!

Hope.