Renewed Strength

Have you ever felt like you need more strength to get through life? I’d venture to guess in work, home or family, we all feel that from time to time. Today I want to talk about how to gain supernatural strength in challenging times!
 
In the Bible, it tells a story of when David and his warrior men who fought with him had been away at battle. When they came back one day, they found one of their enemies had captured their wives and children! It says that David’s men were so upset that they wanted to kill him. You want to talk about a bad day! David could understand anything you or I have ever gone through! 1 Samuel 30:6 tells us, “Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.”
 
How can we encourage ourselves in the Lord at hard or exhausting times like David did? There are multiple ways.
 
I have found when someone is going through a very fierce challenge in life, sometimes they won’t even acknowledge anything good God has done in their past because they are so focused on the negative of today. We have to guard ourselves from getting in an ungrateful mindset no matter how bad it is at the moment.
 
I once heard someone say that if a big group of people could all throw their own problems in the middle of the floor and take anyone else’s problems back instead, most people would choose their own problems back after seeing how challenging everyone else has it too.
One key in hard times to renew your strength is to stay focused on anything you can thank God for. Take time each morning before even getting out of bed to thank Him for three to five things.
 
A second idea is to stop and think about victories God has given you in the past, whether small or large, and thank God for those past victories as well.
 
A third idea, is to listen to encouraging ministers or speakers on a podcast or teaching online.
A fourth idea, is to take a few minutes to surround yourself each day with tranquility. Maybe go for a walk, sit by a lake or garden, or even get a water fountain for a room in your home that you can go have a few minutes of quiet time daily. Another idea for tranquility is to sit and close your eyes while listening to peaceful instrumental music.
 
A fifth idea to renew your strength, and one of my favorite ways, is by reading encouraging Scripture. I’ll share a few with you of my personal favorites that I have highlighted in my Bible.
Isaiah 40:29-31 NKJV He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
 
Isaiah 41:10 NLT Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
 
Isaiah 43:1-2 NKJV But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says,“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
 
Isaiah 44:3 NKJV For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children.
 
Isaiah 54:11-13 NKJV O storm-battered city, troubled and desolate. I will rebuild you with precious jewels and make your foundations from lapis lazuli. I will make your towers of sparkling rubies, your gates of shining gems, and your walls of precious stones. I will teach all your children, and they will enjoy great peace.
 
Isaiah 54:17 AMP “No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And this is their vindication from Me,” says the Lord.
 
Isaiah 51:11 AMP So the redeemed of the Lord will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion; Everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away.
 
Anytime you are discouraged in life, remember what author John Mason once said, “Happiness is a direction, not a destination.” You can’t get to where you want to be overnight, but the key is in pointing your vehicle in the right direction! If you make sure that each day, you start your day in the right direction — seeking God, reading His Word, speaking life and blessing over yourself and your family, praying for God’s direction, being thankful, listening to something encouraging, looking at your written goals; these are all things that help point your day and steer your ship in the right direction!
 
As Robert Schueller once said, “Tough times don’t last, but tough people do!” Remember to read the Scriptures I shared with you over and over whenever you need more strength! And remember David when he strengthened himself in the Lord, then went against great opposition and won the victory! God’s Word will help get you through whatever situation you may face!
 
God bless you with His peace and joy!
 
Pastors Shaun & Amy

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