Here’s a confession you should make daily: “I have been enabled and endued with Christ’s strength to recover and increase in every area of my life!”
When we read the encouragement Paul issued to believers in Ephesus, this is his admonition: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).
Power and might come in many forms.
While I was at the hospital with a friend who was receiving blood, the nurse mentioned to us that the bag of blood was living –much like an organ donation. I told my friend, “Well, the Bible says ‘Life is in the blood’ so that would be why it is a living thing.”
Sometimes, like for my friend, power and strength come through something that appears to be of a natural origin. Other times, God endues us with power from within, supernaturally.
The Amplified Bible says, “Be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].” And remember, God’s might and strength are boundless.
The word strong in this passage is used to describe the necessary power needed to enable the believer fully. Sometimes, we find ourselves lacking in an area. For example, my friend was lacking blood– but God had a means of providing it for her. In times past, I’ve lacked physical strength from flying internationally across several time zones. Yet each time I needed to attend the next function, God empowered me for the moment until I could rest again. You have no doubt experienced times of fatigue on the job, or busy with an overload of children’s activities. The list could go on and on.
But in this regard, one of my favorite scriptures is found in Romans 8:11, which says, “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” Did you catch that? Pinch yourself. That is your mortal body. And that is where God said His Spirit would empower you (by giving you life).
In other words, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will give you the necessary strength and healing your natural body needs to overcome.
And God gets all the glory! In Acts 9:22, the Bible says, “Saul [soon-to-be the Apostle Paul] increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.”
When you are strengthened (and remember to give God the credit) He is glorified in you. And I think this is key.
My friend could have said, “Well, I’m strengthened because someone donated blood” or “I’m strengthened because the doctors knew what I needed.” Both are true in a sense, but she knew where her real help comes from –God, and God alone.
So regardless if your healing and/or strength comes through natural means or a supernatural source, always remember God is the author of both.
Be strong today! He has empowered you!
