If a person, or any person for that matter, takes the time to ponder where true strength originates, the realization of weaknesses and vulnerability in oneself will be revealed. Experiencing failures in past trials and challenges should be evidence enough to show this undeniable truth about ourselves. Yes, we are weak and vulnerable, but God is our source of strength and protection.
If fruitless attempts to achieve sustained elation of self-reliance and self-sufficiency are subscribed to, a rude awakening begins to unfold. As people continue to strive to be their own person without the help of God, a host of questionable areas lacking good judgment become apparent. These areas are humanistic in nature, which is the fundamental reason why good judgment becomes impaired.
This self-imposed, freewill nature that people pursue runs into opposition and confusion at every turn. When they think all is well; believing they are on course; reality slaps them in the face. This realization shows them that they are surrounded by trouble and floundering without direction—the way is unclear. They seek assistance, yet find themselves going to the wrong sources for help; falling deeper into dismay. Dearth is the result of self-sufficiency.
Have you ever found your emotions running high and feeling alive with self-confidence, only to find that you are becoming fortified with a false sense of self-inflicted energy, and finding yourself deflated when something trivial comes your way to disrupt the flow of tranquility and contentment? No doubt you found yourself in a state of unconscious retreat as well-being gave way to complacency.
When the above emotions are allowed to run unchecked, feelings of melancholy and uncertainty begin to surface. The gung-ho drive surrenders to a defeatist attitude. How can a person that was super high with emotion one minute, plummet to a point of despair the next? What happened?
Let us consider for a moment certain areas that cause unstable footholds, which bring an unrelenting tossing motion like a ship in rough seas. The answer lies about eighteen inches below the knees. It is the floor beneath one’s feet. When we kneel or lie prostrate before Almighty God and ask Him for the reasons why things are going as they are, the following paragraphs may hold some answers and explanations.
We should guard against neglect. Neglect hinders our relationship with God when we fail to include him in our daily living. Walking close to Him alleviates a wishy-washy, unstable way of living.
Reading the Bible maintains a hedge of protection around us that encapsulates the mind, renewing it with God’s truth, while encompassing our way of life in every activity. It provides sustenance for the inner, spiritual being. Bible truths filter thoughts that are constantly bombarding our subconscious mind, while giving strength. God's Word promotes a deeper walk with Jesus.
(Psalm 119:103-105), “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” vs.104 “Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.” vs.105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Prayer stays the devil’s attempts to rob from us dignity and integrity. It prevents strength from ebbing away that would cause exhaustion and weakness, which tends to produce a defeatist lifestyle.
God encourages a steady diet of holiness; not that of our own self-righteousness. Godly influence dispels the fiery darts of Satan. When we put on the whole armor of God we are at our strongest in the Lord.
(Ephesians 6:10-18), “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” vs.11 “Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” vs. 12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” vs. 13 “Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” vs.14 “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,” vs.15 “and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” vs.16 “above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” vs.17 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;” vs.18 “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints–”
We are weak within ourselves, but in Christ we are made strong. When having an attitude of self-sufficiency; thinking that we need nothing more than our own intellectual abilities to get the job done; are the times when problems befall us—complications arise.
Attempts to use pathetic measures to direct one’s life and lean upon a self-made confidence are no match for the devil’s deceptions. He will win every time, however, Satan recognizes the power that is in the blood of Jesus and trembles at the mention of His name. The devil is a defeated foe, because of what Jesus did.
Jesus paid the price for sin on the cross of Calvary . Because of this love for mankind, we can walk victorious every day. With His precious blood covering those that are born again, having experienced the new birth through Jesus, Satan has no dominion. God’s children are free to live life abundantly through Jesus Christ the Lord. His blood keeps Believers safe and secure from all wiles of the devil.
Christians need to renew their commitment to God each and every day, acknowledging their position in Jesus, while thanking God for His saving grace. It’s not that Christians are reborn each morning as in the new birth spoken of in (John 3:3), but it is allowing the Holy Spirit to again baptize them in the protective, cleansing flow of Jesus’ blood—His shroud of empowerment. We are to walk in the Spirit daily, which prevents falling prey to Satan’s deceptions and the lust to do wrong.
When we allow God to reign supreme in our life and give ourselves completely to His care, we walk and talk differently. Our heart is changed from a heart of stone to a heart of flesh.
(Ezekiel 36:26-27) “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” vs.27 “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”
The old, sin nature is defeated and we become a new creation in Christ Jesus. All things become new and the old things pass away, because of our desire to serve Him. Exterior, negative influences and the spirit of darkness cease to have power over us. We take authority over them in the name of Jesus, because greater is God that is within us than the spirit of anti-Christ in the world.
(1 John 4:4), “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
Our strength is in Jesus who overcame the world. In our weakness we are made strong through Him. Jesus enables us to walk in power and truth. We need not fear, because perfect love casts out all fear. Jesus is this perfect love—God’s gift to you, me, and all of humanity.
All we need to do is receive this gift of life—God’s only begotten Son. We then have everything we need to combat the enemy of our soul, thus, being enabled to walk in strength and victory.
(2 Corinthians ), “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
The Lord is our beacon of hope; the lighthouse for our soul when the storms are raging. He guides us to the safe haven of rest and shelter. Though Satan tries to swamp and capsize our vessel, as long as we keep our eyes focused upon the Light ahead and remain on course, “Port Jesus” will be our refuge.
I know from whence comes my strength. His name is Jesus. He gives direction and calms the troubled sea. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is Lord.
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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