We may be able to strengthen ourselves in one area at a time, possibly even two or three- but the strength we need to accomplish the will of God in our lives and thwart the attack of the enemy is found in Christ alone.
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 NLT
Different seasons of maturity have led me to feel strong in different ways. As a child, I felt strong when I won a round of red rover during recess at school or a race during gym class. In high school, I earned my first Varsity letter, and wearing it on my jacket made me feel strong and victorious. During my collegiate running career, I pushed my body physically further than ever before and felt strong as I ran up and down the hills of endless country roads. Marriage and motherhood are seasons of life where strength has taken a new meaning. Physical injuries prevent me from literally running away from my problems every morning to process life. I had to learn how to be strong without being able to pound down the pavement.
Paul had discovered the key to strength beyond what he could accomplish physically or otherwise. “In this specific instance,” Joel Ryan wrote, “Paul looked to the spiritual provision of Jesus Christ to find strength, hope, joy, peace, and contentment in even his darkest situation. This power transforms hearts and frees minds oppressed by the discouragement of present circumstances.” The more control I lost to force myself into a physically and mentally strong state, the more I leaned on Jesus to strengthen my soul. And in time, embraced a newer, more well-rounded version of strong. Not by the world’s definition, nor mine, but God’s.
Trust
“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.” Ephesians 3:16 NLT
The very first step of strength-building is trust. A level of trust is required to be productive with a physical trainer or coach. The Greek translation of strength in Ephesians 3:16 is krataioo, meaning “to strengthen, make strong; to be made strong, to increase in strength, to grow strong.” Strength found in Christ Jesus requires us to establish trust in Him and who God is. Three in One: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God has existed relationally since the beginning of time. The power of the Living God lives in every believer. That’s quite the firm foundation of trust to build a strong core! The English dictionary defines strength in six parts:
- The quality or state of being strong; bodily or muscular power.
- Mental power, force, or vigor.
- Moral power, firmness, or courage.
- Power by reason of influence, authority, resources, numbers, etc.
- Number of personnel or ships in a force or body.
- Effective force, potency, or cogency, as of inducements or arguments.
We are made to crave our Creator, and the relationship He desires to have with us through His Son, Jesus …through which the Holy Spirit dwells in us. “The strength we need for this life is found in the essential joy of God,” Tony Reinke wrote, “You will never be spiritually stronger than your God is happy. God’s joy is our strength.”
Work
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him.” 1 Timothy 1:12 NLT
Knowing the source of our strength propels us in the work we are called to do. Strength requires the repetitive use of the muscles God has given us to accomplish the different purposes we created to accomplish for His Kingdom. The Greek translation of strength in Philippians 4:13 and 1 Timothy 1:12 is endunamoo, which means, “to be strong, endue with strength, strengthen; to receive strength, be strengthened, increase in strength; in a bad sense, to be bold, headstrong.” I, personally, struggled with being headstrong in the past. I was a door-slammer as a youth, and not a very good listener until my twenties. It took me a lot of time with the Lord to understand true strength is found in humility, not being stubborn and bull-headed.
Christ considers us trustworthy! Not only do we need faith in Him, but a belief that He trusts us! “When I think about all I have to carry these days, I often feel like my pack is too heavy to bear,” Clarissa Moll wrote, “Nowhere does God ask me to put my shoulder to the grindstone and push through the pain of the burdens I carry. Nowhere am I called to strive toward the goal of carrying the heaviest pack around.” Pay attention to the turnaround in her spirit as she writes of releasing the burden to Christ. Jesus tells us to lay it all down at His feet, and instead pick up what He calls us to do in His strength. That’s what makes the load lighten. The work isn’t any easier, per se, but we are able to operate with the ease of knowing there is a strength we have that is able to provide all we need to accomplish obedience in Christ Jesus.
Endurance
“Perhaps you think we’re saying these things just to defend ourselves. No, we tell you this as Christ’s servants, and with God as our witness. Everything we do, dear friends, is to strengthen you.” 2 Corinthians 12:19 NLT
Endurance and perseverance are mentioned frequently in the Bible, especially where carrying the Gospel message forward is concerned. There is a verse in Nehemiah that proclaims, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” What does joy have to do with strength, endurance, and perseverance? The realization God loves us, completely. Before we set off in motion to accomplish what He calls us to do, He loves us completely. Neither our progress nor perfection increases His love for us. He is love. And the greatest love story of all time is His sacrifice of His Son to save us from death. This truth produces joy in our souls! The joy which doesn’t fade in debilitating seasons, but a joy that propels us forward regardless of circumstance because it’s a joy rooted in our God who never changes.
Strengthen, in 2 Corinthians 12:19, is the Greek word oikodome, “the act of one who promotes another’s growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness, and holiness.” We are called to build each other up, and in doing so, we accumulate the enduring strength we need to persevere to execute Jesus’ command to “Go.” The joy of the Lord is our strength! Together, we are propelled forward by the joy of knowing who and Whose we are, and the purpose of the work we are striving to accomplish. “Through the power of Christ, we can endure the trials and tribulations set forth,” Hope Bolinger wrote, “especially when they stand as a barrier in our ability to share the Gospel.”
Boats with two engines can be steered without moving the actual wheel. The boat can turn on a dime by backing one engine into reverse and the other forward. Adjusting the throttle controls how fast or slow the boat reacts to the direction we’ve pointed it towards. We can back down the throttle of reacting in our own strength and increase the throttle of trust and belief that Jesus will supply us with the strength we need to navigate any situation in His power and wisdom. Obedience in submission to Christ can spin our lives on a dime, just like turning a boat.
Conclusion
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10
Sthenoo is the Greek translation used to define strength in 1 Peter 5:10. It means “to make strong, strengthen, of one’s soul.” When our lives are surrendered into the hands of our Savior, we are completely strengthened, from the body to the soul. God is purposeful. He created us for connection with Him, and the other people He has placed purposefully around and among us. Not only do we find strength in Christ, but Peter adds “firm and steadfast.”
If we glance back at the six-part definition of strength in the English Dictionary, we’re faced with an impossible accomplishment. We may be able to strengthen ourselves in one area at a time, possibly even two or three- but the strength we need to accomplish the will of God in our lives and thwart the attack of the enemy is found in Christ alone. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. In our weakness, He is strong. Living in each of us, through the Holy Spirit, we can operate in a supernatural supply of strength, because the source of all strength promised never to leave us alone.
Click here to read “Bible Verses about Staying Strong.”
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/RobertBreitpaul
