When You Are Pressed Beyond Your Strength

“When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; He brought me into a spacious place. Psalm 118:4-6 

  

“These are the times that try men’s souls.” ---Thomas Paine 

  

  There have been times that tried our soul, tested our strength and ability to endure. When we have our hopes high, often we come crashing down to reality by a setback of our hopes. Perhaps some new affliction arises, or old issues reemerge. You may find yourself in an intolerable situation that tests your endurance. 

  Standing strong when we feel weak can seem unbearable. Sometimes it feels that we are already carrying the maximum load possible, and just one more setback, one more stressful event is all it will take to push us over the edge.  

  Yet we find strength through the Lord Jesus Christ. He can take our weakness and empower our spirit through the Holy Spirit, making us strong within, driven by power and energy from above. 

  We may be weak in body, but we need never be weak in spirit. 

  Facing our limitations and continuing to move forward, especially after a series of setbacks or disappointments have made us even weaker, is challenging for those who live with illnesses and afflictions. Picking ourselves back up when feeling overwhelmed by weakness can seem impossible, yet with God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27). 

  It is through God’s strength that we not only survive, but can thrive even with our weaknesses. And through Him our disappointment can be turned back to hope. 

  Today you may find yourself locked into a weak body subject to its ailments, you may find yourself in a disappointing situation you have no control over. Yet if you have put your faith in the Lord, you can look beyond bodily ailments, beyond terrible circumstances, and rely upon the Spirit of the living God to carry you through your challenges in spite of your afflictions and difficulties. 

  We may not have everything we want on this side of heaven, but no matter how little our ability to endure, we have the power and might of God on our side. With His help we can press through our physical limitations and inabilities to become the spiritual powerhouses God intended for us to become. 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, sometimes we feel so weak and helpless, yet let us never forget that though we may be weak, through You we become strong within. Amen.