I am thankful for God’s strength because it teaches me how truly powerful I am during hard times.
Many think they are in hard times and need strength. It may be to make it through a tough week at work or a difficult family situation. God gives us what we need when we need it.
Others are going through even tougher times as caregivers to someone who is dying, as they watch and pray for a prodigal to return home, as they feel a broken heart over what others are doing or are not doing, etc. God gives you what you need when you need it.
I love that His strength is not a one-size-fits-all that you have to adapt to each situation. Instead, He tailor makes it for your current challenge.
Hope Tools
Stop trying to be strong
We live in a ‘pull yourself up by your own bootstraps’ world. This is something that is hard to overcome when we feel weak and scared. Most of the time we will go into survival mode where we become angry or want to head to bed and cover our head with a pillow. The most important thing to look at when you are feeling that way is to identify your fear. What are you afraid will happen? Once you know that, then you can ask God for the truth that will replace that fear.
Remember God’s track record
At the root of most fear is the sense that this time will be different. You will not make it. You will not have what you need. You will go under. God wants you to know through His word that as you are faithful to ask Him for strength — He is faithful to provide you just what you need in the exact dose and at the exact time that you need it. Many of our fears are for future events that are not even happening. We project the current need and multiply it by looking through the lens of fear and hopelessness.
Prayer
Thank You, Lord, for Your faithfulness to us when we turn to You. You will never turn a deaf ear and will not abandon us in our need. You delight in meeting us right where we are when we put all our trust in You. So today, I confess that I need your strength. I need a miracle to heal my broken heart and put the pieces of my shattered dreams back together according to your plan and purpose. As I face the hard times ahead, I know that You will abundantly provide what I need exactly when I need it and that fills me with great hope. I receive that strength today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Author, speaker, corporate trainer, ordained minister and Hope Catalyst, Karen Sebastian enjoys sharing her rich life experiences with others – engaging them in adventurous discoveries of the beauty of hope in a dark, cloudy world.
