I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name…. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Revelation 3:8b, 11 NIV
Satan loves to hammer us with guilt over our weaknesses. He makes us believe we should be stronger than we are, that we should be able to handle more, and that God is disappointed when we struggle through painful circumstances. What an encouragement, that God knows we have little strength! He’s not disappointed in us when we struggle, rather He is pleased that in the midst of our struggle, we call on His name.
Check out how Paul worked through a difficult time in his life…
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NIV
If you are going through a heard time and your strength is running out, hold on! God has all the strength you need. Keep His word close. Let it encourage you. Focus your mind on verses like these:
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NASB
On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul. Psalm 138:3 NASB
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NLT
For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV
No matter how bad it gets, no matter how weak you feel, don’t give up! God has a reward waiting for you that far exceeds any pain or struggle you will experience here on earth. Let no one take your crown! Stay faithful to His word, do not deny His name. Trust Him to give you enough strength to hold on one day at a time.