All of us from time to time face discouragement when things go wrong, even when we are trying to do right and we are uncertain how things are going to turn out.
That’s where I’ve learnt to turn to Gods word and to seek God for His wisdom and strength. I’m actually in good company, as when I read the accounts in the bible, and especially one of my favourites David, who was a man who knew how to get back up after a crisis.
In times of great distress in his life the bible says “David strengthened or encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6)
One account of David strengthening himself is while he was going through a terrible time. While David and his fighting men had been away their homes had been attacked and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. All that remained of the city was heap of smoking ruins.
What do you do when life falls apart? Many of us probably run around in circles screaming and throwing our hands up in despair. David and his men lifted up their voices and wept until they had no more power to weep. Others complained and blamed David their leader, wanting to kill him because they were so grieved.
But this is where David stepped into the realm of the supernatural. Usually you’d think a person would get into a pit of absolute despond, and stay there for a while. David faced a choice, he could either just stand there and continue to look and see nothing but disaster and problems, or he could look beyond and see God.
David chose to look to God and was able to strengthen himself in Him, primarily because David had a personal relationship with Him; he knew God and his promises and that regardless of what He was facing God had not left him and would be faithful to walk with David through his troubles.
Which is what we can also do. Just like David we can walk in supernatural strength when the pressure is on as we remind ourselves of who we are in God, draw close to him, remember and think upon His promises and plan for our lives.
God wants all of us to live daily in the realms of His strength and the supernatural strength He gives so that we will not be constantly distracted and discouraged when pressure comes and tempted to manage in the world’s way, instead of God’s.
When it says, David “strengthened himself” it means he was intentional, which means we too can be intentional and choose to live in the new creation reality of who we are in Jesus. Where everyday we abide in His love and listen to his guidance as we look to Him for our strength.
“Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be you dismayed: for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
“Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Today make a decision to walk in God’s strength and His presence and make it a way of life. Choose to strengthen and encourage yourself in God. That means stepping out of the world’s way of living everyday because we have a super God who is able to do the impossible both in and through us. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCBkQQksXJc
Prayer: Lord thank you for your promises and that you make me strong. I choose to encourage myself in you today understanding that means stepping out of the world’s way of doing things and living out who I am in you. Please help me to make that a way of life everyday. In Jesus name Amen.
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