#strength #waterwalkinggirls
When we need strength God sends just what we need. How does our Maker send us strength? Below are some ways God strengthens me.
The most obvious way I gain strength from God is from the Holy Spirit. When Jesus arose from the dead he appeared to His disciples and gave them a wonderful promise before His ascension. “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” Luke 24:49 NLT When we are struggling with difficult times the Holy Spirit will comfort and strengthen us to continue on our journey. As Christians we all have access to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

Another way God gives us strength is through other people. God may speak to us and strengthen us through the words of a sermon delivered by a pastor. He also may use the words from a friend’s text, card, or conversation to give you the power you need in a particular situation. Just this week God strengthened me through a friend’s text and a note card from another friend. Has God used your friends, family, or pastor to give you power?
One of the most intimate ways I have experienced God comforting me and giving me strength is through music. When I am truly focused on Christian music I am able to be engulfed by the words and allow God to use those words to speak directly to my heart. This past Sunday after running my first 5k I was physically exhausted but I was also emotionally drained. Saturday had been filled with so many emotions and when I walked into church on Sunday for our contemporary service I was in need of His strength. The praise team was finishing up going over the songs for the day and they were singing “It is Well” by Bethel. As I sat there listening tears poured down my face. The words of the song were just the comfort and rest my soul needed to have the power and energy to go on.
The last way God strengthens me is through His Holy Word. To receive His power and be ready to face my day ahead, I get up early enough to have quiet devotion and prayer time with God. Each morning I read several devotions and it never fails that at least one out of those devotions speaks directly to whatever may be on my mind or whatever battle I am facing. Scripture can encourage and strengthen me when I feel weak. On Friday before running in the race I listened to the Start Today Morning show podcast by Rachel and Dave Hollis. Rachel shared that when she had been in races in the past she had written the scripture Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” on her hand so that when she felt weak she could look down and be encouraged to keep going. I shared this with our Run for God group. I chose to write Philippians 4:13 on one hand and I wrote my life verse on the other hand. My life verse is Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not grow weary; and they shall walk, and not grow faint.”
As I said this is what I call my life verse. This verse has been important to me from early in my adult life. My husband Clark and I both gain strength and comfort from this verse and when we were married we had in inscribed in our wedding bands. It is a verse that I call on when I feel weak or need His power. Do you have a life verse? Do you have a verse that you keep closely tucked in your heart to recall in times that you need His strength? Whether you call it your “life verse” or not, I feel sure you may. It could also be a promise from God that has been important to you over the years. Today I ask you to spend some time reflecting and discovering what scripture verse could be called your life verse. Write it down on a note card or in a place you can see when you need a dose of encouragement or strength from God. I would love if you would share your life verses in the comments so we can all gain strength and power from His word.
God loves us. He will never forsake us. When we feel our weakest He is ready to send out His messengers to give us the strength and power we need to continue our journey. His Holy Spirit is always with us. Sometimes He gives us what we need through other people, music and through His Holy Word. We just have to be in a posture of listening and receiving. As you mediate on His word today and name your life verse I pray you be feel His presence, strength and power.
Click hear to listen to “It is Well” by Bethel