BE STRONG FOR GOD!

“Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  (Joshua 1:9, NIV)

The Bible is full of Christian men and women who were strong leaders for God.  Esther became a strong leader for her people when she went before the king on their behalf, knowing that she could die (Esther 8:3-6);  Moses became a strong leader as he led the Hebrews out of Egypt and through the Red Sea (Exodus 14:16); David fearlessly fought and killed the giant Goliath with a sling (I Samuel 17:49-50); Rahab hid the two spies, which would have been punishable by death had they been discovered.  Having already heard the great things God had done for them, she trusted in Him and became a believer (Joshua 2:10-11). 

God wants us to be strong leaders as well, and He strengthens us through the trials He sends our way.  It’s very easy when we’re sick to feel useless.  We don’t believe God can use us in our poor health, with all of our limitations and weaknesses, but we are wrong!  God often uses the weak things of this world to shame the mighty (I Cor. 1:27). 

I believe that God has used me more to minister to others since I have been sick than He did when I was well.  Because of my illness and its limitations, I have to daily lean on Christ and pray that His power be made perfect in my weakness.  God has used me many times when I wasn’t even aware that He was using me.  He receives all the glory because I know that in my own strength (what little I have), I could never accomplish anything. 

Are you asking God daily for strength to face the unending challenges of living with a chronic illness?  Are you allowing Him to work through your life to bless and encourage others around you?  Or are you ready to give up, thinking that God can never use you in your weakened state?  You may be amazed at what God can do through you!  I was.

Paul knew the secret well:  complete dependence on Christ.  Because of Christ, he was able to boast about his weaknesses, knowing that when he was weak, he was really strong because Christ’s great power was working in Him

(2 Cor. 12:9-10).

Dear Jesus – Thank You for taking our weaknesses and turning them into great strengths for Your glory when we lean upon You!