Ever think God has too much confidence in your abilities to handle what life throws at you? Karlton shares.
“Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weakling say, ‘I am strong!'” (Joel 3:10).
The Lord and I sometimes disagree. He says I am strong, but often I see only weakness.
He always gives me more credit than seems warranted when allowing difficulties to come my way that continually crush me under their weight. Yet . . . He keeps telling me that I am strong.
Our strength is puny, pathetic, pretty sad actually, but the Lord sees us standing with His strength, and rising up in His Name.
Circumstances may label us as weaklings, but the reality is that with the Lord holding us up, we are truly strong because of Him.
Last year has brought some crushing trials my way, one difficulty after another. The list is long and unbelievable. I have had years where even one or two challenges similar to this year’s trouble would be the norm, but troubles seem multiplied over the past year compared to previous ones.
“Crushing Weight” are the words that come to mind as I look back over 2015. But I also know that each time the Lord has delivered me out of my troubles.
If I must count the difficulties, so must I count the victories.
Perhaps you feel as if a crushing weight has landed on your shoulders, or perhaps lots of individual troubles have piled on until it seems a mountain rests upon your shoulders. If left to our own strength, our difficulties are indeed overwhelming,. But I remind you, as I remind myself, the Lord has delivered us, and will yet deliver us again.
When you are tempted to consider your weakness, instead add in the Lord’s all-sufficient power and provision for your circumstances.
Prayer: Dear Lord, lift our burdens, and remind us of Your past victories in our current circumstances. Amen.
About the Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. He is grateful that the Lord has delivered him from his troubles time and time again.
Do you feel weak and overwhelmed by your challenges? Ask the Lord to give you strength to get you beyond your circumstances.
This is Capital Kings singing “Into Your Arms.” It reminded me of how we can so often and easily feel like collapsing under the weight of what God is allowing into our lives and we really have no choice but to go to His arms and let Him shoulder the weight. -Lisa
I’m always encouraged by your words Karlton. May God place a hedge of protection around you to protect you as you serve Him by pointing others to the truth of His word.
Always in grace!
Pamela
Thank you Pamela! Much appreciated!
Blessings.
Karlton, my heart goes out to you for the weight of all the hard things that have come to you in 2015.
Paul basically said, when God said, “No” to his requests for relief from his “thorn in the flesh”, that God’s strength shows up best in weak people. My soul is lifted up by your devotional and by this fact.
It is all about Him after all. I pray that He’ll amaze us by showing us how He can use us in 2016!
Thank you Beth! Yes, the Lord often uses weak people to show His strength. His power and strength keeps us going and moving forward.
Blessings.
What an excellent message Karlton! I found myself nodding all the way through! Thank you 🙂
I’m REALLY sorry for all that you’ve gone through in 2015, yet God has used you more than you’ll ever know to minister to me….. for which I’m truly thankful.
The past few years have been REALLY tough & each year feels tougher to me….. yet I also can sense a greater strength in me that can only be God. In the depths of the struggles I wonder how on earth God will get me through, yet He always does. Is it easy? NUP! However with God His rewards far outweigh the struggles…. eventually! I just have to remember that in the tough times. Living apart from my family is really tough right now….. so, I need your reminder right now of: “But I remind you, as I remind myself, the Lord has delivered us, and will yet deliver us again.” AMEN! God bless. Lotsoluv Kerryn
Thank you Kerryn!
I pray you are able to be back with your family and settle into a new place very soon.
Blessings.
Thanks dear Karlton! 🙂 Lotsoluv Kerryn
Karlton Thanking God for you and your voice to us through your weakness and heavy burdens. I pray for you and ask the Lord to renew your strength and pour out his blessings. You are blessed with your gift of writing and willingness to share. I am not aware of your particular struggles but praise Him for your faith and growth. I wish you relief if God wills. I cannot even begin to make a list of the additional struggles but remember He is our stronghold, our burden bearer and the one who brings joy in the midst of ongoing challenges. He has promised to never leave us.
By faith..by faith…by faith.
Thanks again for reminded me of His power and strength. Crushing weight is a powerful image . Bless you and all who read and respond. Jan anne
Thank you Jan! I appreciate the prayers and kind words.
Blessings.