Lord, there are times I begin to feel the weight of my struggles; I have trouble finding the words to pray.
Help me to not grow weary but to rest in You and be
refreshed by Your Word.
Series Focus: “Resurrecting Hope in the Midst of Life’s Storms”
Over the past several years as my faith has been deepening, I have been given many opportunities to walk my walk – so to speak. To practice what I preach, I guess you could say. And what is that exactly? Find rest in Jesus. Find joy in the Lord. Be content in all circumstances. Those are just a few off the top of my head.
I have repeated these encouragements over and over again and I ask myself, “Do I hold onto these words with as much confidence as I speak them over others?” This is my desire! It can be difficult when there are so many friends hurting, so many people waiting, and so many fiery darts aiming to destroy my belief in God’s ability to rescue and restore.
Yet, Paul writes the words …’do not grow weary’.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV
In the midst of life’s storms how can we help others but not allow ourselves to grow weary? How do we not give up? That is the million-dollar question! When someone who is hurting calls upon us to stand in the gap for them, it is crucial that we not only understand the depth of God’s ability, but also know how to be fortified in our own spirit to withstand the battle.
When I am in the breach for someone I love, someone who doesn’t have the strength, the belief or the discernment to stand for themselves, it becomes very personal to me. The enemy lies to us saying – “this is too hard; this will not end; you’re a failure; God isn’t listening; just give up!”
When the enemy comes against us we must take heart, be courageous and call him to the carpet. Are you ready to do this? Can you be steadfast in God’s perfect truth in order to defeat him? I believe we can!
We must bolster ourselves in the truth of God’s promises and know the power of His capable hands! This requires a steadfast abiding in His word BEFORE the situation becomes desperate. In desperation we can cling to wrong thinking or exhaust ourselves before we even begin fighting. Those lies swirling around our minds become more and more vigorous as we cry out for our God to bring peace and deliverance.
If you have surrendered your life to Christ, confessed your sins, and have called upon His name to be your Savior, then sisters, you have the power within you to destroy the enemy! God is our ever-present help in trouble. Know it. Believe it. He renews our strength if we trust and wait upon Him!
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 ESV)
For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish. (Jeremiah 31:25 ESV)
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Mark 14:38 ESV)
As I continue to combat the enemy on behalf of my family members, my friends, and women who have called upon me to stand with them in faith, I assure you that I will not be shaken. The stakes are high but the price Jesus paid to give me victory will be my focus. I will put on my armor and I will choose God’s Word as my finest weapon. Nothing formed against me will prosper as I abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Let’s be women who walk into the battle secure in God’s ability, starting from a place of complete dependence upon Him. He is faithful to go before us. Call upon His name, wait upon His plan, and take the spoils of victory home!
You are free. Hallelujah and Amen!
Holding Fast to Hope,
Jen
Scripture References: John 10:10; Galatians 6:9; Jeremiah 31:25; Mark 14:38; Isaiah 40:31
