Stay Strong and Power on with Jesus
- Lori Joy
- Nov 24
- 3 min read
We all experience times in our lives where we feel tired, worn down, battle weary, discouraged, and even utterly defeated. Sometimes life throws things in our way that cause us to stumble, and struggle to persevere. Some may even feel like they are attacked this way far more than their fair share of times. Yes, even I in my darkest hours have battled such feelings of discouragement. I knew God was always with me, and yet still I felt so all alone in my struggles.
But I can testify from both personal experience as well as from Biblical knowledge, that even then in your darkest hour that God is indeed still with you. The enemy may have your eyes blinded and keeping you from seeing that God is there in that moment, but know and be encouraged that the Lord is with you Always!
Isaiah 41:10
"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."
Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
"It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Some of you might now say, "But why am I experiencing these difficulties, these trials? Isn't God supposed to protect me from harm? Isn't life just supposed to be perfect and comfortable if I am a Christian?"
Well, that would certainly be nice wouldn't it... but the reality is we are living in a fallen world, and truth be told "Satan is roaming this earth like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8
And there is nothing that Satan wants more than to see God's own people struggling, hurting, floundering, and if at all possible... destroyed. So how then do we protect ourselves? How do we keep from being hurt or even destroyed?
You have heard the expression, "Knowledge is Power"? Indeed it is. The more you study scripture, the more you learn about God's word and His promises... the greater your "armour of protection" will be. And if you add to that "developing the patience to wait upon the Lord", the greater your strength will be to withstand.
In the book of Isaiah we read, "He will give power to the faint; and to them that have no might he will increase their strength... Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall rise up with wings like eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not grow faint."
- Isaiah 40:29 & 31
So I encourage you to be strong and continue waiting on the Lord. Trust Him to bring you out of your tribulations. He who began this great work in you will be faithful to complete it. But you need to stay the course my friend. Hang on, even if by the thread of Christ's garment... Hold tight and don't let go. Know that Jesus has a firm grip of your hand even if you can not see that it is so. Jesus will calm the storms of your life and bring you out of those stormy seas. Until then, trust Him, study and grow in your understanding of His word, and know that God is with you ALWAYS!
Now, scroll up to read the meme at the top of this page... That is the summary of my life's story. Those who have heard or read my testimony know what I have endured and overcome in my lifetime thus far. What the enemy had intended for my destruction, God turned it around and used it for my good... and I indeed do Praise God for it all.
And in time, you also will have a testimony of how God has brought you through your own ordeals, and you will encourage others just as I have encouraged you.
So my friend... Stay Strong and Power on with Jesus!
I’m so proud of you for overcoming all the hurt and abuse from men who didn’t see your worth. You are a daughter of the King in Heaven and I’m so thankful that you are mine.