When You Need the Strength to Stick it Out
Exhaustion is my new best friend. I’ve napped way too much in the last week. Maybe I’m freaked out about the COVID-19 pandemic, or perhaps I’m just transforming into an anxious polar bear desperately in need of hibernation. Either way, this scary season is getting the best of me. I feel like I’m lacking the strength I need to stick it out. I wish I could just get away from it all, but with the whole world shut down, there is nowhere to escape.
Do you ever feel like you like the necessary strength to face the raw facts of your real life? Like you want to play hide and go seek permanently? I know I should just put my big girl pants on and get moving about my day, but I am currently irresistibly drawn to staying in my pajamas all day and hiding under the covers while eating double stuffed Oreos.
If I get out of bed, I have to deal with all the “what ifs.”
What if I get this scary thing and end up dying in the hospital alone?
What if someone I love gets it, and I can’t do anything to stop it?
What if the money stops coming in, and I can’t pay my bills?
What if I run out of toilet paper and have to leave the house without a mask?
The “what ifs” are killing my joy right now. I hate the “what ifs,” and I have decided to stop focusing on things that may not happen and are totally out of my control.
Instead of getting all hot and bothered about catastrophic imaginary scenarios, I want to remember “He is.”
My Mighty God is Lord over all.
He is my Refuge and Shield. The Lord will protect me from pandemics and has promised me a heavenly home.
He is the God of Angel Armies. He will command His warrior angels to guard my loves in all their ways.
He is my Provider. His storehouse supply is abundant. He sees my need and will sustain me.
He is a Present Help. He will never leave me nor forsake me. I do not walk alone.
When I stop frantically obsessing about what I can’t change and fix my gaze on God’s faithfulness, I find rest. He is my joy, and even in the midst of this uncertain season, He is my peace.
Friend, how are you feeling? Are you spending too much time watching the news and worrying? Do you have a mental list of “what ifs” that make you want to hide away from the world?
We are not alone. We are all scared, but God has not abandoned us. He is walking closely with us and will show us the way to the other side.
God wants us to give Him our “what ifs.” He will give us the strength to stick it out if we just slow down and let Him speak to our soul.
How to Find Strength to Stick it Out
Remember You’ve Already Been Delivered
You are not fighting this battle alone. You have an all-powerful Defender in your corner, and nothing will thwart His plans for your life. He has already paid the ultimate price to rescue you, and He will continue to cover you with His protection.
“God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. Heβs set us up in the kingdom of the Son He loves so much, the Son Who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating.” (Colossians 1:13-14, MSG)
Realize Your Savior Holds All Things Together
Your world is not falling apart completely because God is totally in control. He has you and everything that concerns you in His mighty hands. You can trust He will take care of you. Β
“He existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together.” (Colossians 1:17, NLT)
Recognize You’re here to Spread the Word
Instead of fixating on what you cannot change, focus your energy on making an eternal difference. You know that Truth and have an unshakeable hope to share. Let lost people know that they have a refuge, and His name is Jesus. Β
“Christ is our message! We preach to awaken hearts and bring every person into the full understanding of truth. It has become my inspiration and passion in ministry to labor with a tireless intensity, with His power flowing through me, to present to every believer the revelation of being His perfect one in Jesus Christ.” (Colossians 1:28, TPT)
Need more help to find the strength to stick it out? I’ve created a one-page printable to help you meditate on the awesomeness of your God and fire up your faith during a season of adversity. Grab a copy and spend the next 7 days focusing on how your God is able to help see you through anything. Every morning, you can sit at His feet and strengthen your walk as you remind yourself your faithful God is in control.Β Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and Β grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.
As we lift our eyes to the. Lord, we will lean into His strength. He is always on watch for us, and He never slumbers. We can trust that our Mighty God will keep us from all harm and shelter us. Choosing to trust God during this chaotic time will set us apart to those who are desperately seeking safe haven. We can encourage our distressed friends and neighbors to look to Jesus as the only true refuge. Only our Savior gives the glory strength that spills out into joy in our lives.
Your Savior will always supply the strength to stick it out.
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Let’s Chat: Β How has God given you the strength to stick it out in this uncertain season?
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Lyli, we must be on the same wavelength, because I’ve also been feeling tempted to just try to escape and hibernate til this is done! Thanks for your encouragement that God will give us the strength to stick it out!
I find starting and ending my day is where the main battle lies. I am slower to get started, and I take longer to settle in at the end of the day. I am trying to invest in healthy things during those 2 slots to combat all the anxiety.
Something I read today suggested substituting “what if” with “even if” like the three Hebrew young men in Daniel 3–even if I get the virus, lose my job, etc., God is faithful and will give grace and I will worship Him.
Love that, Barbara. Thanks for sharing.
I caught myself yesterday resorting to “coping” behaviors, and was disappointed in myself, but have started new today, which is a great gift straight from the gospel.
Thanks, Lyli, for your honest view of the world–this is a hard season, and all the things we normally struggle with may end up becoming bigger if we don’t put in our daily request for grace.
Blessings to you, and hope you are staying healthy and hopeful.
Thanks, Michele. I am learning that there are healthy coping strategies and unhealthy ones; I want to invest in taking care of my body, mind, and soul during this season in life-giving ways. But it’s hard! I need to say no to my. flesh.
So many universal feelings there. Thank u for the encouragement and Iβm saying a prayer for you, sister.
We’re all dealing with this in our own ways, doing what keeps us sane. No shame in staying in bed more, Lyli! I like your substitution of “what if” with “he is.” I’ve been using “even if” as a substitute, but “he is” is even better.