How Does God Make Us Strong

When David was being tested on his way to becoming king, he “strengthened himself in the Lord.” His soul was buffeted. He was tempted to be downcast. Rather than give in to discouragement, he turned to the Lord. His trials taught him that God was the source of his strength. He wasn’t strong because he was tough, although any leader has to learn endurance. He became strong because he leaned into the presence of the Lord. 

During times of testing, we, too, can become “strong in the power of his might.” We can “wax valiant in the battle.”

Life has some tough times. Our physical body will age. Not all of us are “SuperAgers” who never get sick. We develop infirmity or chronic aches. How do we overcome the accompanying depression? Is there a path through the pain? I have a recommendation for recovery.

Because we humans are created in the image of God and are tri-partite beings (spirit, soul, and body), we have an avenue of wholeness that might surprise you.

If your body hurts, turn to three biblical sources of comfort and health. These are the word of God, the power of God, and the communion of the saints. These things are like a 3-fold cord that is unbreakable. 

First, go to the word of God. Open your Bible. The angel Gabriel said, “No word from God is void of power.” (literal translation) This means that when God speaks, the word contains the power to do it. The word of God is alive and powerful. God’s word is primarily the written word that we have in our Bible. It is inspired or “God-breathed.” The scriptures are anointed with power by the Holy Spirit. Reading the scriptures is an encounter with God. Jesus said, “Have you not read what God spoke to you…?” Our God still speaks through the page of the Bible. As you read, the Lord speaks to you. “He sent his word and healed them.”

God’s ideas are in the Bible. He ways and his thoughts are higher than ours. Find the truth about yourself and your situation. Apply what you read to your life. Tell yourself the truth. Speak to yourself. Tell yourself, like David did, “Soul, magnify the Lord!” Make yourself praise the Lord. Occupy your mind with God’s thoughts, not the devil’s lies. Circumstances are temporary, but God’s word is eternal. In the end, we will win. We are united with Christ, who is above. We overcome by faith in God.

If your body is weak, take advantage of your spiritual source of strength, the Lord. “The joy of the Lord is my strength!” God’s presence is filled with joy. His joy can flood your soul and impart health into your mind and body. “Laughter doeth good like a medicine.” 

“Seek the Lord and his strength.” Jesus said we could receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. If you feel weak, go to the Lord and seek his face. Repent of sin, stubbornness, unbelief, or fear. The posture of humility is the place where you can be intimate with the Lord, face to face, honest and unveiled. His presence prophesies in the sense that spirit to spirit communication occurs between the Father and you. This is heart to heart resuscitation. It is revelation - straight talk that doesn’t condemn but communication that reassures, edifies, and invigorates. 

Be with believing believers who know the Lord. Don’t retreat into isolation. Don’t hide from others because you feel low. “Two are better than one because if one falls the other shall lift him up.”