MORE STRENGTH PLEASE
Proverbs 24:10 NKJ
10 If you faint in the day of adversity,
Your strength is small.
I remember flying from Texas to North Carolina. I was thinking about moving my family back to Texas, and the pressure was mounting. I had accepted a job that had great potential, but not a lot of base salary. I had just arranged to purchase a home in Texas, and our savings were not much. Then there were all the details involved in moving. The month was May, almost thirty-five years ago to the day and I was feeling the burden.
I turned to Philippians 4:13 and read a favorite verse: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." As I was thinking about that verse, the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart, "You don't need less pressure; you need more strength." And, of course, the Lord was right. All the things that I needed—a job, a home, and a big move—involved pressure, but I needed all of them. I also needed more strength to handle the pressure.
The New Living Translation says, "If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small." I do not believe this verse is meant to condemn but rather to reveal. If we give in when things get tough, then we need more strength. Notice this proverb does not say if you faint in adversity, it's the Lord's fault. Now, I know that sounds ridiculous, but it can be surprising how people can be quick to blame someone else, including God.
The good news is we do not have to despair if our strength is small. We can gain strength. Spiritual strength can be increased by feeding on God's Word, developing a relationship with the Lord through prayer and dedicated time. Strength is available but not automatic. A great parallel is physical strength. Everyone has the potential to become stronger, but it will require a level of focus and intentionality. I am so glad our proverb did not read that if you fail under pressure, you are doomed to weakness. This proverb is not an indictment but a locator. We can reach a place where we handle pressure better and better. But as you handle things better, give credit to the Lord; don't say you matured with age. This proverb does not say that if we faint in the day of adversity, we need more maturity. Nope, we need more strength, and as we continue to follow Christ, we become stronger and stronger. Much less fainting. Much less giving up. Much more strength.
PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, that spiritual strength is not a fixed asset. Thank You, that with Your help and grace, I can get stronger and handle adversity. I will not give in under pressure.