Be Strong

‘be strong in the Lord’. Did you know that the bible says ‘be strong’ about forty times? Interestingly, it never says ‘be weak’. J
It is God’s will that we be strong. Why? In Proverbs 18:14 the Lord says ‘the strong spirit of a man sustains him in bodily pain or trouble, but a weak and broken spirit who can raise up or bear?’
The Lord is saying that if your spirit is strong, you can endure through to the end of every trial. And that is precisely what He wants you to do.
‘well, I sure wish my spirit was strong,’ you say. Good news! You can strengthen your spirit just like your body.
Spirits need spirit food. The word is spirit food. Other stuff is spiritual junk. Now, I’m not saying that you should throw out the TV, but maybe you could turn on a faith-filled, uplifting teacher for half an hour or read the word a little before breakfast. Turn on a praise cd at lunch or a teaching cd on your commute. Little changes matter; they add up.
Spirits need exercise, too. Praising with the cd is exercise. Praying in the spirit is good exercise, and speaking God’s words back to Him is good as well.
Finally, avoid spiritual drains; they will suck you dry faster than a teenager a root beer. Worry is a huge, deadly drain. Ten minutes worrying can undo hours of good stuff. Strife, or arguing, is another. Think of these as spiritual poison.
So good food, exercise and avoid spiritual poison.
Remember, the way to change something permanently is do it a little at a time. Don’t put yourself in basic training because it will not stick. Add one thing for a couple of weeks, then add something more. As you draw near to God, He will draw near to you. He will strengthen your spirit as you eat His word and exercise. And then you will win every challenge, because your strong spirit will sustain you. Glory to God! Hallelujah! I love you all; be blessed like Abraham.
healed by His stripes,
Nancy