Beyond Ourselves
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
“Give me a break! Lift the pressure. Do something.” Have you ever cried out to God in this way? There are many people who live and work in situations in which there seems to be no relief or way out of the hardship. They experience a constant, crushing strain. Perhaps it’s caused by physical discomfort from an illness or by poor family life.
God promises His children a practical and readily available source of strength. When we are in need of great might, God provides a supernatural energy that expresses itself intellectually, morally, physically, and spiritually in the life of the believer. What is the source of our strength? Jesus Christ. When we by faith received the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, He came to dwell in us in the person of the Holy Spirit.
We do not have to beg and plead for God to provide us with the strength to face difficult circumstances; He has already given us the gift. Our acknowledgement of weakness and our confession that we need Christ opens the door to the unsurpassable power of God flowing through us. Declaring that we have come to the end of our own capacity allows the Lord to demonstrate His provision and protection over his children.
There are experiences in life that are beyond our control and certainly beyond our limited strength to endure. If we don’t know the key to persevering, then we will tumble and fall. So, it is essential that we continually grow in our Christian life through studying God’s Word and seeking His will.
Daily Devotions with Dr. Charles Stanlley, InTouch Ministries