"If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small."
Proverbs 24:10 (NKJV)
Many years ago, I worked for a company where I made some deliveries and picked up some things, like office supplies. There were several times that I had a large number of office supplies to pick up. Often, the workers at the office supply warehouse asked me if I would be able to lift the boxes by myself or if I needed help. Most of the time the boxes were not too heavy and I was able to pick them up. The level of my strength did not increase based on how heavy the boxes were, my ability to pick up the boxes just showed my level of strength.
It has been said that adversity brings out the best in people and that challenges make you stronger. While adversity can give us an opportunity to act our best, and challenges can help us develop in some ways, in reality, adversity and challenges just show how strong we are. Proverbs 24:10 tells us that if we faint in the time of adversity, we are not strong enough. While this statement seems very obvious and simple, this verse is not a condemnation of me or anyone else who has had trouble dealing with a problem, it is the answer to the problem.
If we are not strong enough to meet a challenge, then we need to build up our strength. In Nehemiah 8:10 we find a key to this; the joy of the Lord is our strength. How can we be joyful all the time, and in the midst of adversity? By focusing on God and His Word and allowing Him to work through us. God has given us His Word and He will guide us by the Holy Spirit. Often, God will work to prepare us even before a problem comes. As we keep our focus on what God has said and follow His directions, He will empower us by the Holy Spirit and direct us to success in every challenge.
Proverbs 24:10 (NKJV)
Many years ago, I worked for a company where I made some deliveries and picked up some things, like office supplies. There were several times that I had a large number of office supplies to pick up. Often, the workers at the office supply warehouse asked me if I would be able to lift the boxes by myself or if I needed help. Most of the time the boxes were not too heavy and I was able to pick them up. The level of my strength did not increase based on how heavy the boxes were, my ability to pick up the boxes just showed my level of strength.
It has been said that adversity brings out the best in people and that challenges make you stronger. While adversity can give us an opportunity to act our best, and challenges can help us develop in some ways, in reality, adversity and challenges just show how strong we are. Proverbs 24:10 tells us that if we faint in the time of adversity, we are not strong enough. While this statement seems very obvious and simple, this verse is not a condemnation of me or anyone else who has had trouble dealing with a problem, it is the answer to the problem.
If we are not strong enough to meet a challenge, then we need to build up our strength. In Nehemiah 8:10 we find a key to this; the joy of the Lord is our strength. How can we be joyful all the time, and in the midst of adversity? By focusing on God and His Word and allowing Him to work through us. God has given us His Word and He will guide us by the Holy Spirit. Often, God will work to prepare us even before a problem comes. As we keep our focus on what God has said and follow His directions, He will empower us by the Holy Spirit and direct us to success in every challenge.
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