Kelly Balarie Christian Blog and Commentary

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The Simple Way to Strength

  • Kelly Balarie

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    Get all of Kelly’s blog posts by email! Kelly Balarie, author (Battle Ready, Rest Now, Take Every Thought Captive), speaker, and blogger, delights in joining hands with women as they go through…

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  • Updated Nov 08, 2018

"He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power." (Is. 40:29)

When I read these verses, do you know what I think?

I think: That's great He does all that - for them.

It's great that he cares for the weary people who have cancer, or the poor people in India or the single mom in Detroit. He is SO loving to all them. But, I never apply God's Word to me...

...even though I fall entirely in this camp. I am weary from packing up my whole house and carting boxes all the way to a new state. I am weak from trying to sell off my whole house and I am lacking might in the kindness department as night gives way to another night of no sleep.

But, I hardly count myself like them. I hardly place myself in the camp of the needy and poor people who should get God's best.

"Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;

the Lord delivers them in times of trouble." (Ps. 41:1)

What about you? Do you regard yourself?

Do you easily admit you are:

  1. Weary
  2. Weak
  3. Lacking might
  4. In trouble

What strikes me is that when we admit these things, we receive strength and power. It’s what this scripture says will happen. But, part of it happening is allowing it to happen.

You know, we can stop it from happening...

I've never been able to shove a popsicle in a kid's mouth who didn't want it. Nor have I been able to make my husband accept time of rest when he didn't want it. Nor have I been able to fully feel God's love when I didn’t make time for it.

David, the man who wrote this Psalm, even said, “Have mercy on me, Lord, heal me, for I have sinned against you” and "Even my close friend, someone I trusted...has turned[ against me." (Ps. 41:9)

He admitted his gunk. What's yours?

Psalm 41 says God:

- protects

- preserves

- does not give people "over to the desire of their foes"

- sustains

- restores those who are weary and lacking.

Seems like everything I need. What about you?

 

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