Finding Strength in God’s Presence

FLOYD ROGERS

There is a kind of deep safety that no person or promise on earth can provide. It stays with you through hardship, suffering, or shame—no matter what you face. This lasting security comes from knowing that God’s Spirit lives within you. Even when life brings pressure or pain, there is a quiet confidence because you are not alone.

The enemy may tempt you to give up or run away, but God’s Spirit speaks within, reminding you of who walks beside you. You are in the presence of the Father, the one who rules over all creation. He is not distant. He is near. And He can bring about things in your life you could never have expected.

This truth gives peace and courage.

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Romans 8:11

Finding Strength in Faith During Difficult Times

FLOYD ROGERS

When life becomes difficult and we face personal struggles, it’s important to ask ourselves why we are seeking God’s help. Our main reason should always be to live in obedience to Him and to bring honour to His name. In every challenge, we need to check our hearts and be sure our desire is to follow His will.

In those hard moments, it’s also wise to stop and consider what might be happening around us. Sometimes, the enemy is trying to lead us away from God. Other times, it’s a moment to remember how God has helped us before. Through every past need and trouble, He has always provided what His people required.

Many people can manage difficulties for a little while, but those who truly leave a mark are the ones who remain faithful, patiently waiting for God’s perfect timing.

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

James 1:12

Finding Strength in Weakness: A Different Perspective

TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

In today’s world, strength is often celebrated, and weakness is viewed with disdain. Phrases like “pain is weakness leaving the body” or “we’re only as strong as our weakest link” reflect a culture obsessed with winning and uncomfortable with vulnerability. Yet, the message from scripture offers a completely different understanding: true strength is often found in our weakness.

The Bible reveals a profound truth about the human condition: we are all weak. We need breaks, rest, and rely on many things to navigate life. This inherent weakness isn’t something to be hidden or ashamed of; instead, it’s the very place where God’s power can be most evident.

Consider the apostle Paul’s experience, as shared in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. After receiving extraordinary revelations, Paul was given “a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited”. Three times, Paul pleaded with the Lord to take it away, but God’s response was: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”. This divine reply shifted Paul’s perspective. He declared, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong”.

This passage teaches us that God often allows or even causes pain and suffering in our lives, not necessarily as punishment for sin, but to keep us humble and draw us closer to Him. Spiritual pride is a significant danger, and God’s commitment to our spiritual growth means He will ensure we don’t become self-sufficient. Our weaknesses can serve as a constant reminder that we need to depend on Jesus.

Think of individuals whose weaknesses became platforms for God’s power:

  • J.I. Packer, despite a childhood accident that left a permanent mark and potential for brain damage, became a sharp theological mind and influential author.
  • Joni Eareckson Tada, a quadriplegic since a diving accident, has a widespread ministry sharing hope through her own hardship.
  • John Bunyan wrote the timeless classic “Pilgrim’s Progress” while imprisoned for his faith, his suffering becoming a source of strength for countless Christians.

These examples echo the sentiment of John 3:30: “He must increase, but I must decrease”. It’s in our diminishing, in acknowledging our lack, that Christ’s glory can shine through. We are encouraged to let our weaknesses be a stage for His power to be displayed.

The prophet Isaiah reminds us in Isaiah 40:28-29: “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength”. God’s strength is available precisely when we recognize our own lack.

The story of Gideon in Judges 7 further illustrates this principle. God intentionally reduced Gideon’s army from thousands to a mere 300 men to defeat the Midianites. This was so that Israel could not boast that their own strength had saved them; the victory would clearly be attributed to God’s power. God does more with less, demonstrating that the power to overcome doesn’t come from human might but from Him.

Instead of hiding our weaknesses, we are invited to acknowledge them and turn to God. Our greatest need is not to be pain-free, but to gain spiritual strength through reliance on Jesus. When we feel weak, we are in the very place where the Lord’s power can work most effectively. The simple prayer, “Jesus, help I need you,” is often all it takes to experience His sustaining grace.

For those who do not yet know Christ, the first step is to recognize our fundamental weakness – our sinfulness – and the need for a Savior. The Bible says we have all sinned, but Jesus died for our sins and rose again. Believing in His perfect life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection is the way to experience God’s amazing grace.

For believers facing pain, suffering, and weakness, the message is clear: you are not alone, and you are right where the Lord wants you to be. Even if the pain doesn’t disappear, God’s grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in your weakness. Embrace your weaknesses, for they can become the very platform where God’s strength is displayed.