Finding the Strength to Carry On
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
“But those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
What Brings Us Down
Exercise enthusiasts across the country know the motto, “If it doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t work!” Whether that pain is minor or a serious ache, the truth is, we have to break down muscle in order to build it back up stronger. The same can be said about faith that’s tested.
Through trials and tribulations, cries and confessions, we deepen our faith by learning to trust God just a bit more each time. Faith is like a muscle, we get stronger the more we exercise. And like exercise, sometimes we control the weight limit, and sometimes our coach gives us more than we want. “Not yet,” He says against our incessant pleas to quit. Whether we’re dealing with sickness, loss, sorrow, anger, betrayal, or just a long season of waiting, sometimes we get to the point when we don’t think we can keep going.
Where do you turn when you can’t find the strength to carry on? If I’m being honest, God is not always my first option. Sometimes I choose other people instead. Sometimes food proves to be pretty tempting. If you’re being honest too, maybe God is not always your first choice either. Where do you go?
Imagine being one of the Israelites, wandering the wilderness for forty years, or Job losing both your possessions and your children. Imagine being shamed and assaulted by all the people around you as you’re marched to the place where you will be put to death.
Maybe your present suffering is not that severe, but the number of things that can bring us down are as innumerable as they are potentially devastating. Here are just a few examples.
A Lack of Trust
Not trusting God adds difficulty to our lives. Whereas trusting Him would bring peace, we opt not to trust at all.
Our own Sin
We are oftentimes the culprits of our own misfortunes - lying, selfishness, greed. Our choices have consequences, so lays the rule of reaping and sowing[1] .
The Sin of Others
Aside from our own sin, sometimes we suffer because of how people sin against us. Consider infidelity, for example.
Unfortunate Circumstances
Maybe no one is at fault, and our suffering is just a result of unfortunate circumstances. Maybe we were born in an impoverished country or were raised in a family without a mom and a dad.
Whatever the case, where there is hurt, there can be healing. Whether the pain isn’t that bad or indescribable, regardless, we have to remind ourselves of God’s promises. We have to remember who and what picks us back up!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
When God says, “Not yet,” He knows that we can carry on. Not by our own strength, but by surrendering to Him, b y believing in Him, by remembering where there is trust in the Lord, we can find peace (Isaiah 26:3). Here are a few ways to lift ourselves up in a tough season.
Seek Forgiveness
One way to find strength, especially when we’re holding ourselves back, is to confess our sins. The less skeletons we have in the closet, the less we feel like we have to hide. We can be the best versions of ourselves.
Pray Always
Pray always, a command given in Scripture, and wise advice from one believer to another. Even when the circumstance doesn’t change, God hears our prayers. The more we give to Him, the less pressure we feel to control everything.
Accountability
Whenever we feel down, there’s no doubt the comfort of another can pick us back up again. A kind word, a nice gesture, or someone praying on our behalf. There may be many reasons why we want to give up, but there are just as many, if not more as to why we should not. God gives us the strength to carry on.
Ask yourself, do you believe this to be true?
Further Reading (and Listening):
- Philippians 4:6-7, 13
- Hebrews 4:15
- Galatians 6:9
- Isaiah 26:3
- “They That Wait” by Fred Hammond
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Orla
Get in touch with him at aarondanthony.com and check out his debut short story anthology Honey Dreams on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com!
Related Resource: How Habit Stacking Will Help You Discipline Your Mind, Body, & Spirit
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