Draw Strength

Matthew 12:^47&50 “Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak to you.” … Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”

The second source of strength is Friendships. Ecclesiastes 4:^9&12 “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed… A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” The relationships you cultivate are very important because two are better than one. There is no lone ranger in God’s Kingdom. You need to build your relational strength. There are three dimensions of friendships – upward vertical, horizontal, and downward vertical.

You must develop upward vertical relationships. You must have people who are ahead of you that are pouring into you, mentoring, or fathering you. You must have horizontal relationships with people who are your peers. People who encourage each other, speak truth to each other and help each other along the journey. And you must have downward vertical relationships. You must have people that you are helping to understand life, solve issues, and grow stronger. These three dimensions of relationships must be in place for you to get the right dose of strength from your relationships.

The third source of strength is Family. Family is family, either by blood or by choice. Matthew 12:46-50 (please read) is a classic example of family by choice. Jesus did not deny His family by blood, but He had a bigger family by choice. One word that defines the source of strength of the family, and makes a family a family, is LOVE. Family gives us the strength that love affords. Friends may walk away and leave you, or not be happy with you. Family will love you regardless, and that is big. Everyone must have that safety net, where they know they are accepted and loved regardless of their blunders. It brings strength into the individual’s life.

The fourth source of strength is Faith. And the aspect of faith we are looking at is strength drawn from the presence of God. Isaiah 40:³¹ “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (KJV, emphasis added). People are weak because they are not with God, or they are not waiting on God. It is possible to be in church, and not with God, or waiting on God. I pray that that will not be your portion. You must be with God. If you find out that you are burning out, check who you are waiting on.

Prayer: Father, help me to be more deliberate about my fitness, friendships, family, and faith even as I draw strength from them, in the Name of Jesus. Amen!