My own struggle with weakness inspired me to focus on God’s promise to give us strength this week. Like all humans, I struggle with physical weakness at times (sickness, chronic pain, autoimmune issues) as well as emotional weakness (overwhelming feelings of sadness, discouragement, or hurt). The good news God’s Word gives to us is that no matter which type of weakness we are currently struggling with, God will give us strength. It is God’s strength that is highlighted when we are weak.
Here are some Bible passages that speak to this particular promise:
Isaiah 40:29-31 - “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
The Apostle Paul spoke about this promise of God’s strength in Philippians 4:12-13 when he said,
“I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
Habakkuk 3:19 – “God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places.”
How do we tap into this promise for God’s strength? We ask. We seek.
1 Chronicles 16:11 – “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”
The promise of God’s strength is available for our physical bodies, our emotions, and our spirit.
Psalm 73:26 – “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Going back to the Apostle Paul’s writings, we see that Paul learned to be okay with his weakness because he knew that God’s strength could be magnified through Paul’s weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Are you feeling weak in any area today? Ask God to give you His strength. Don’t just ask once, ask continually, and believe that God will truly be your strength. Take notes, literally, to keep track of all the times when you were feeling weak in some way and God’s strength was able to be on full display in your life. It is good to go back through your prayer journaling and see how God has answered your prayers. His ways are not our ways, so He might answer your prayers in ways you do not expect, but He will absolutely be your strength and He will give you strength when you cry out to Him.