Inner Strength

One of the key things I've learned over the last years is how important it is to have a strong "inner walk" with the Lord when trials and hardships come our way.  If we don't have His strong power within, we won't be able to handle the pressures from without.  It's His grace, strength, wisdom, and power that enables us to navigate the hard times.

A saving grace for me was talking to the Lord all day long with whatever I was facing.  It wasn't just my daily quiet time - it was being in communion with Him continually.  I often had to make important decisions all through the day.  I would whisper a prayer and ask Him to lead and guide me.  It was that inner strength that enabled me to handle the pressures and decisions that came my way.  

"I pray that He would grant you...to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man."  Ephesians 3:16

"They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, 'It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.' "  Acts 14:22

"This is what the Lord says: 'Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.' " Jeremiah 6:16

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good."  Genesis 50:20

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

"For nothing is impossible with God."  Luke 1:37

"You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light.  With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall."  2 Samuel 22:29,30

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?"  Luke 12:25,26

"I have set the Lord always before me.  Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."  Psalm 16:8

I could go on and on.  So many verses about the Lord meeting us and being with us when we go through the difficulties of life.   "The power of Christ in you is greater than the pressure of troubles around you."  (anonymous)

He IS always, always faithful!!