Soul Strength!

April 29, 2021

Soul Strength!

I don’t like to give up!  I don’t like to quit!  I don’t like to lose!

That kind of tenacious determination and obstinate stubbornness has caused me some heart-ache and some soul-distress.  I confess that I have a tendency to rely a little too long and sometimes a little too much on my own strength, my own smarts, and my own status.

The good thing is the Holy Spirit is quick to remind me that my strength, my smarts, and my status are not near good enough to meet all that life brings my way.  I need the strength and stability and supervision of the Holy Spirit. 

My soul needs something more than I am not able to provide.  This something becomes more obvious right after someone suggests that I give up or quit or surrender.  It is then that I look deep inside and realize that Jesus is enough for me.  I respond by drawing near to Jesus’ heart and trusting in Jesus’ provision.

Jesus is more than enough when I am overwhelmed and when I am ready to quit or when I fear defeat.  In contrast, when I am convinced I am winning or successful or thriving I tend to lean more on myself than on Jesus. 

Some are tempted to lean on their job or their influence or their status.  Some are tempted to lean on their assets or their training or their appearance.  Some are tempted to lean on their network or their toys or their position.  The problem is these things can never give strength to our soul; only Jesus can give us soul strength!

On the somewhat rare occasions when I feel like giving up or quitting, I realize there is no real escape.  I have to trust Jesus enough to continue walking towards Him and with Him.  You may re-call the occasion when Jesus invites Peter to get out of the boat and walk on the water towards Jesus.  

In Matthew 14:2-31 we hear; “So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus.  But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’  Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him…”  

Before Jesus stops the storm in Peter’s life, Jesus invites Peter to get out of the boat and walk on the water.  Only after Peter steps out (literally!) of his comfortable place does Jesus calm the storm.  It is a great example of Jesus filling our soul with strength even while the storm is still raging around us. 

Even when I am ready to quit or give up or be defeated, Jesus is ready to fill my soul with His strength.

Doubt makes we want to give up.  Fear makes we want to quit.  Sadness makes me willing to be defeated.  Right when I am most afraid and discouraged and alone, Jesus pours His power into the depths of my soul so I can continue walking in the way He wants me to go.

When I come out on the other side of wanting to give up or quit or have been defeated, I will be stronger because Jesus has filled me with His strength.  My faith in Jesus will be deeper, my confidence in Jesus’ love will be greater, and my delight in Jesus will be overflowing.

Take delight in the Lord!

Doug