I often stand in the condiment aisle at Publix, wondering if I have ketchup. I don’t know why it’s always ketchup that slips my mind. I stand there asking myself, “If I still have some, is it enough? Did the grandkids ‘borrow’ the unopened bottle? Did I use up all that I had?” Since I can’t answer any of those questions, I end up buying more. Then, I go back home, open the pantry, and see three bottles peering down at me from the top shelf, wondering how I could have forgotten them.
We often manage our strength in similar ways. We know it frequently runs low, is given to others, and sometimes runs out entirely. Our diminished strength is like a sleeping cat sprawled out on a sunny windowsill, just about to flop onto the floor. Sometimes we flatten on the ground; other times, we hit the ground running, pretending we were never tired. No matter how we land, we often ignore the three bottles of strength quietly resting on our top shelves. We have God, who loves us always; Jesus, our best friend; and the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to keep going. Christians don’t have to rely on their own strength; we have supernatural strength!
When Prophet Elisha’s servant trembled after seeing a vast army of enemy soldiers, horses, and chariots surrounding them, Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid! For there are more on our side than on theirs.” Then he prayed, “Oh Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” When the servant looked up and saw the hillside around them filled with horses and chariots of fire, his courage and strength were renewed. (2 Kings 6) Elisha didn’t rely on his own strength. He trusted in the Lord. Your strength comes from the God who loves you with an everlasting love and surrounds you with a host of angels. (Jeremiah 31:3, Hebrews 1:14)
Jesus’ death on the cross introduced a new way of life for believers. As our best friend, He not only empowered us with His Spirit, but He also gave us one another. Believers shared everything they had after the Holy Spirit was poured out on the church. Surely, this included strength. When one believer falls, other believers circle the wagons around them, giving them time to renew their strength. An added blessing is that in sharing the strength given to us, ours is renewed.
Year after year, Hannah remained childless until she tearfully went to the Tabernacle and cried out to God. Her depleted strength was renewed after finally being honest with God. (1 Samuel 1) God is a collector of tears. He pays attention. (Psalm 56:8) I have found honest, vulnerable tears to be the conduit through which the voice of the Holy Spirit flows. Strength doesn’t come from pretending; it comes from being honest with God and listening to what He has to say.
At some point, we all question our reservoir of strength. Challenges make us wonder whether we have enough, whether we’ve given it all away, or whether we ever had any in the first place. Maybe today is a good day to be reminded that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives inside us. (Ephesians 1) We are loved with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31) We are never abandoned or forsaken. (Hebrews 13) His power works best in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12) Our battle belongs to the Lord. (2 Chronicles 20) He is a strong tower we can run to. (Proverbs 18) Our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121) He upholds us with His mighty right hand. (Isaiah 41) He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. (Isaiah 40)
Take an inventory of your heart before you go shopping for more strength. You already have more than you know. Do you remember what Christopher Robin told Winnie the Pooh? “If ever there’s a tomorrow when we’re not together, you must remember this: You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” That’s true even if it is from a fictional character.
Jesus said it best this way: “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b) I feel stronger already!
