The Strengthening of God

I am here because this is where I will find my strength. I am here because this is where I will find my perspective!! I am here because this is where I will find my hope!!!

Just a little self-talk the other day. 

Do you ever do that? I had to give myself a little talk and say, “enough of that. It’s time to sit at the feet of Jesus. Mull over God’s Word and let Truth wash over me.” 

The other day, I was at a friend’s house for coffee. She shared times when her thoughts would take her down “guilt street”. You know, thoughts like you should be doing this!! You aren’t doing enough!! Why aren’t you like so and so, or participating more in ministry?” 

We both laughed, because she just had her fifth baby. 

This is a different season. God is still at work in and through her as she mommy’s her small children raising up a generation of godly men and women who will need to stand strong in the years to come. 

She is participating in the work of God and building His kingdom!!

She was quick to recognize that not all thoughts are from God. How important to take our thoughts “captive to Christ” and to recognize the dark paths that lead us from Him. 

- Thoughts that lead us down “guilt street “and keep us there. Not from God.  
- Thoughts that paralyze us, so we end up doing nothing and burying our talents. Not from God. 
- Thoughts that lead us in isolation away from God, His people and His church. Not from God. 
- Thoughts that focus on past regrets that do not lay hold of the mercy of God. Not from God. 
- And thoughts that make us feel like it is up to us to do it all. Not from God.

It was a sweet time of fellowship as I shared times, I needed to grab myself by the collar as well, and say, “no more of that. This is not from God!!”

So, what do we do when those negative thoughts creep in? Change the tape. Renew our minds so they dwell on God’s thoughts. Let them sink into our soul, then pour our hearts out to the One who loves us more deeply than we can grasp and take Him at His Word!!! 

This is what David did.

While David was running from Saul, he and his men left their wives and children in Ziklag thinking they would be safe. But when they returned to the city, they found it smoldering in ashes. The enemy had come and burned with fire and took captive all the women and children and all their goods. The Bible tells us that David and the people who were with him wept loudly until there was no strength left in them!! 

How easy it is to gloss over this part. 

God’s people were attacked by the enemy. God’s people suffered losses and had regret. God’s people grieved.  

But David did not stay on the ground weeping and regretting. He gave it a good cry, but he got up!! He strengthened himself in the LORD!! Then went directly to God, saying, “Okay, LORD. Now what? What should I do?” 

I love this!! If you read the story closely, you will see there was no one around to encourage him. In fact, the people were so upset they were ready to stone him. 

So, what did David do? 

He took control of his thoughts and the situation and encouraged himself in God!!! If you want to know what happened, read 1 Samuel 30. 

Has the enemy taken something from you? Go ahead and grieve. Weep until you have no strength left. Then go to God, tell Him all that is on your heart. Let His Word wash over you and whatever He says to do, do it!!!

“And the rains descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and crashed against the house; and yet, it did not fall, for it had been founded upon a rock.” Matthew 7:25