This week has been a heavy week for our Church. It seems burdens weigh us down on all sides, coming at our Church family from all angles. It becomes a lot to carry. Typically our Ladies’ Bible Study is held the last Thursday of each month. This topic of strength was what the Lord laid on my heart to teach/speak about in August. Due to a scheduling conflict (or two), we had to change the Bible study to Tuesday this week. God’s timing couldn’t have been better for this subject to be brought before the ladies of our Church. Several have told me they wanted the notes from the study, so I wanted to share it here with you all. I pray it’s a blessing, and helps you this week, as it helped us on Tuesday.
17: She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
Proverbs 31:17, 25
25: Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
In these two verses is Proverbs 31, strength is referenced to as clothing. Something put on the outside, that people see/notice about you. Strength is seen in how we act, respond, carry ourselves, etc. There are literally hundreds of verses in scripture about strength, being strong, etc.
What kind of strength is important?
Physical strength.
This helps you do things for the Lord, physically. So, yes, it does matter. Physical strength is not, however, the most important kind of strength. For if your physical strength is gone, you can still win souls for Christ. But with physical strength comes the ability to work in the Church.
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
Ecclesiastes 9:10
Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.
2 Chronicles 15:7
Many people will quote 1 Timothy 4:8 as an excuse or reason why they don’t work out. (“For bodily exercise profiteth little; but godliness is profitable in all…”) But to this I say, bodily exercise DOES profit a little! It doesn’t say it’s not profitable at all. Just that, when compared to the spiritual strength it is not AS important. Which brings me to my next point…
Spiritual Strength
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Ephesians 6:10
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
1 John 5:13
Spiritual strength is knowing what you believe, and why. It is having standards, and doctrinal beliefs that are not easily swayed. Physical strength is really just an outward showing of being spiritually strong. Christ gives us this strength, for ministry, for counseling others, and for fighting off the attacks of the devil. (See 1 Timothy 1:12, and Ephesians 6:11-18)
Mental Strength
My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
Psalm 119:28
In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
Psalm 138:3
Mental strength is required for overcoming ourselves. Our thoughts. Dwelling in the “woe is me” mentality. Mental strength is how we overcome the fear of the unknown, or being overwhelmed with life. We must learn to redirect our thoughts to Christ, continually. For we are nothing without Him, and we can accomplish nothing outside of His will!
What is the solution? How do I achieve strength in these areas?
Through God – He alone is our source of strength. The lost world looks to find strength in many things. This is why people’s “standards”, and “morals” change with the wind. This is weakness. It is how all of us lived prior to salvation.
The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
Psalm 118:14
Through Prayer – calling on Him, and spending time in the Lord’s presence has a calming, and reassuring effect. Even if you don’t know the words to pray, cry out to him from your heart!
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
Psalm 39:12-13
O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.
Through the Support of Others – Lean into one another. When people don’t know what’s going on with you, they can’t help you go through it. (Likewise, if you are bearing someone else’s burden with them, it’s your responsibility to be discreet, and respectful.) Handle each other with prayer and consideration. Be thoughtful. Build your sisters in Christ up, don’t be a discourager.
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 20:35
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Take heart, my friends, what you’re going through will pass. God is on your side! He will never let you down. Pray through the hard times. The trying of your faith is exercising your relationship with God and your fellow Christians. It is through some of the hardest times in my life that I have grown closer to people around me, and to my Jesus. Be strong and of good courage in the Lord!
