Pr. 24:10: “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.”
I never thought I’d include this verse in my blog because, quite frankly, I’ve never liked it. Having faced unexplainable adversity in my health for almost 4 years, there have definitely been times when my strength was small and times when I have all but fainted. Each time I have read this verse I have thought about those times.
This morning, however, the Lord has encouraged me through this verse. Even though there have been moments when I have wanted to give up, I never actually did. God brought me through those times with a hope only found in Him. Even when my strength was at its weakest, the Lord’s strength brought me through. With His help, I still continue going forward, doing what I can.
In reading this verse, I have judged myself a bit harshly over these 4 years, remembering only my weaker moments, and comparing myself to others who are much stronger than I. However, the fact of the matter is that my day of adversity is not yet over, and I have not fainted.
My strength comes from the Lord. My hope is in Him. My courage lies in knowing that He who began a good work in me will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
My life may not look like that of others, or the way I expected that it should, but my day is not done. While I am still here, there is work for me to do. The work I am able to do is much less glamorous than perhaps I thought it would be, but I believe that facing this adversity in my life qualifies me to complete a work meant only for me.
It is time for me to truly believe my day is not yet over. Until it is, I will continue bringing glory to my God in whatever ways I can manage. I will continue to take courage in the fact that my God is for me, and stop believing I have fainted too many times go on.
My strength is definitely not small, for it comes from the Lord, in whom all things are possible.
If you feel yourself fainting, be encouraged. The day is not yet over, and the Lord is on your side! It is in Him that we live and move and have our being. He is our Rock and our Salvation. He is our Defense. He is our Refuge and our Strength. He orders our steps and upholds us with His hand. He does not forsake His children. Keep moving forward…with Him.
Strengthened by Him alone,
jamie
This blog is dedicated to Larry Jackson, who definitely got this right!
Me speaking to Larry hours before he went to heaven. See that smile? He allowed God to use him to the very end.
considering the word 