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Do you ever feel that you've come to the end of your rope?  Have you felt that life has become so overwhelming that if just one more difficult or challenging thing happens you will lose the battle and the army of giants you face will overtake you?  Sometimes life feels that way.  It comes at you like a battering ram until you are bruised and aching, feeling that you can’t take anymore.  But in times like those, when we feel defeated, we need to remember that though life can be hard, our Savior is there for us throughout the battle.
 
Recently, a series of events have occurred in my life that have left me so emotionally exhausted that I haven’t been able to function as I should.  My smile has been forced, my laugh strained and my positive attitude has been injured.  Pressure has enveloped me like an evil vice grip and stress has taken its toll.  How long, I have wondered, until I would feel relief?  As I have opened my eyes each day, I have cried out to God and I know He hears me. 

“You are my Helper and my Savior.  O my God, do not delay” (Psalm 40:17b). 

God always proves faithful in all He does and I trust Him completely.  The difficulty, I have found, lies in remembering that His timing is perfect.  Even in my struggles, He is working with a purpose.  In my weakness, I have felt that I couldn’t handle any more.  With my strength drained and energy gone, fear crept its way into my tired soul and I struggled to stand in the battle.  But, as I confessed my fears to Him, I remembered that the battle is the Lord’s!  He will hold me up and fight for me.  I need not be afraid!   

“…This is what the Lord says: ‘Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s’” (2 Chronicles 20:15).

My Lord is here with me…and He is here with you, too.  We can stand firm in the knowledge that throughout all of life’s trials, God is fighting for us.  He is greater than any of our giants.  Though we are weak, He will hold us up and deliver us.  

“‘You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; 
stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. 
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, 
and the LORD will be with you’” (2 Chronicles 20:17).

So, as we go out and face another day full of challenges, struggles…and giants, we can have courage. The Lord will be with us and the battle is His.

In His grip,





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13 Comments

  1. Hi Joan,
    What a beautiful reminder that God is always with us! Not long ago I felt just as you described. Our loving God listens and we can tell Him when it feels like too much and we can't handle one more thing. He provides strength when we have nothing left to give.

    So glad I stopped over from Grace Cafe!

    In Christ,
    Laura

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  2. @Laura Rath I am so thankful for God's strength! Thanks for stopping by, Laura!

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  3. Hi Joan:

    The first post linked to the Grace Cafe was about waiting, my post was on waiting,and now I come and you refer to God's perfect timing. (Which of course, we have to wait upon). I love it when God lays the same message upon different ones (coming from a bit different perspective). I find that when He does this, He usually has a message somewhere for me. :)

    My Bible reading this morning from 1 Samuel was where David slew Goliath with a small stone. As many times as I have read this passage, I ask myself, "Do I have the courage to face my giants with only a small stone?" However, David's faith was not in the stone, but in the Lord of Hosts...he knew where his strength lay.

    I pray that God intervenes in your situation soon and you will see His hand at work.

    Blessings,
    Joan

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  4. Joan, thank you for this beautiful testimony to the faithfulness of our God.

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  5. @Joan It is amazing how God chooses to echo His message to us in many different ways! He is so faithful!

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  6. A beautiful post, Joan that is a comfort for me today in more ways than one. God is sharing 2Chron. with me so far twice today! I use these verses for my husband and myself when we are in the midst of a hard time with our treatment for Lyme Disease. They are the enemy in our body and often we feel overwhelmed by the damage they have done. BUT we do not fight this battle alone and when we are exhausted we must remember that the Lord fights for us. Thank you for the reminder today as you share your own struggles. God be with you.

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  7. @Renee Yes, we gain much strength and comfort with the knowledge that God is right by our side and it is He who is fighting the battle! I'm praying for you today in your fight with Lyme disease!

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  8. Joan, thank you so much for pouring your heart out. I've felt this way so many times in the past, but like you said no matter what He will be with us. His promise is too good to pass up...hold strong.

    A few friends and I have created a group for Christian bloggers. We want to use this to support and pray for each other. You can find the details on my blog http://heartreflected.blogspot.com or on our community blog http://bloggersingod.blogspot.com

    Thank you, have a wonderful God-filled day.

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  9. @Salina God is so faithful! His presence is such an encouragement to us as we face trials (and all the time!) Thanks for the heads-up about your group. I'll check it out. Blessings!

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  10. Joan- my heart responded to yours reading your post- how often have I felt as you have done lately- and like you and like Psalmist David- I remind myself of God's faithfulness to me to build myself up in faith to face the current onslaught~!
    A Verse that often comes to mind at such times is:
    Habakkuk 3:16-18: 17Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
    I feel like the Holy Spirit prompts me to make the choice to praise- when it really is a sacrifice of thanksgiving- so hard some days- but in the doing of it I find my peace is restored. The promises of God are all conditional on us doing something in order to receive them- I have to ask for His enabling to do that which will release BLESSING on me again.
    A favourite verse in the face of difficulties is from Ps 23: surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life- when this is not so- I say to it- this is NOT what the Lord has promised- and then quote that verse- and darkness flees.
    We so need each other in the Body of Christ, don't we? To pray and to encourage each other.
    May the Lord Bless you and keep you and make His face to smile upon you and give you peace.

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  11. I love the Psalms! Reading through from beginning to end, you see the ups and downs of David's and others lives - how they went from mountain peak to valleys low - yet always cried out to God and always there was an answer. Praying you are refreshed and renewed and your peace with God being in control continues!

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  12. @MomLaur The Psalms speak to my heart, too! I love how David and the other psalmists open their hearts and cry out to God. Often they show such raw emotion that it is impossible to not feel along with them. And then, to know that God is always there...listening, guiding, comforting and saving. He deserves all our praise!

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  13. @marygems Thank you for your encouragement, Mary! God has already been answering my cries and has been strengthening me in this battle. I am leaning on Him, and He is making the road smooth. God is good -- all the time!

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