be strong

this morning, as i spent some time in prayer before heading off to work, i felt the pressures of life crowding in on me a little. i began to speak honestly with god, confessing some fears but knowing the great hope i have in him.

i have this spot on my couch where i usually sit to pray. i can look out the back door and see a forest of trees. of course, this time of year the trees are bare and gray…a little scary. i began to pray and i mentioned to god that i felt a little lost in a scary forest of life’s pressures…like the forest was closing in on me and i couldn’t see a way out. as i prayed, i found myself lying prostrate on the floor in front of the back door. as i looked up, i noticed my shift in position provided a different point of view. the forest wasn’t as scary because i now could only see the tips of the trees…most of my view was of a bright blue, cloudless sky.

the lord then reminded me of a scripture. here it is:

be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. –ephesians 6:10

wow! thanks, god. i needed that. i needed to shift my stinking thinking to remember the awesome power of god. i need to be strong in his power…i don’t have to be strong in my own power.

so, if you, too, feel surrounded by pressures that seem too big for you, remember: BE STRONG! when you’re faced with a problem that’s larger than life, repeat this scripture to yourself. you may not be able to see past the scary forest, but he can. he knows where you’ve been, where you are, and more importantly where you’re headed.