May 20th – Growing Strong

Taking It to Work:

How do you look at challenges? Are they something you dread, or something you love? For most of us it can go either way. We may like a good challenge on the tennis court, softball field or golf course, and we may even like challenges at work to make the numbers, deal with a technical issue, or make that demanding delivery. Something in us knows that we tend to make ourselves better, and try our hardest in the midst of challenges.

Resources are the key for me. If I have the time and available bandwidth to deal with a particular issue, I might enjoy it, and grow from it, but when resources are low, time or money is short, that same issue can make me growl in frustration, and what grows the most is my impatience and bad attitude.

The worst challenges are the ones in which we have little or no resources to handle. The bills we can’t pay, the teenager we can’t seem to communicate with, or the layoff we never saw coming. These are the times where our spiritual mettle is tested. We may rely on ourselves and our own wisdom and resources for most challenges, but for the really tough challenges in life, it is our faith and His strength through us, that gets us through. These are the hardest times in life, but if handled side-by-side with the Lord, are the times when we grow the most, and can truly measure where we are in our spiritual growth and maturity.

Ideally, we are walking and conversing with the Lord through all of life. When our peaceful river gets choppy, or suddenly turns into a raging rapid, we hold our peace and calm demeanor, then in faith rely on Him to show us how we are going to get through this one, like so many times before.

That’s the kind of faithful, fearless person we want to grow to be. Read and pray through for the powerful scripture passages today, and see your challenges as a way to grow into that kind of person, as His Word works new strength in you, today.

John 16:33 (ESV) – “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) – Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

1 Th 5:17-18 (ESV) – Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV) – Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Listening to the Holy Spirit (Rhema):

In great challenge there is great victory. In your home and in work, I give you this great fuel of growth. No man grows quicker than one in the midst of challenge. He who reaches for Me in the midst, grows even more quickly. I create in the physical that which can be used for the spirit. Flesh can battle flesh, but it is My Spirit that will prevail. Some are satisfied by their own strength. They look to the mirror for courage, but these are the least courageous, looking to a reflection that has no power. He who is truly courageous looks to a power not seen and not of his own.  My hand gives strength of spirit that nourishes the soul of the eternal man – here is true growth. A man may prosper with a strong body, and train as such, but his strength will fail as with all men. But he who stands by My strength renews again his own, and it will not deplete for time and age. Rejoice in the challenge. Drink deeply from the living water, and your strength will well up within you, and you will soon fear no challenge. Find your strength in Me. Lift again your head, stare deeply into the dark, and fear not its darkness.