Draw Your Strength From the Lord

Like the weather, which shifts from the perfectly sunny to the cloudy and rainy, so our spirits rise and fall from day to day, it seems. It's the natural patten, and nothing over which to obsess or panic, but to take in stride. Sometimes "surprises" pop out of nowhere, to buoy us up and remind us that God knows us, our needs, and is our true source of strength and stability.
In the words of St. Paul, who knew many ups and downs in his life, we find the sound advice we need to repeat to ourselves daily. It might be helpful to keep a little notebook of "favorite verses" such as this: "Draw your strength from the Lord, and from his mighty power." (Eph 6: 10). Or this: "No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it." (1Cor 10:13). These are familiar verses, and in praying over them often, we need to ask for the wisdom and courage really to trust the God who inspired them. They come from Paul's experiences, all part of God's plan, through which he learned and about which he can speak with authority. As we learn from our trials and experiences, we can help others bear theirs and can say with Paul, "I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me." (Phil 4:13). Lord, let me trust in your love, your plan, and find my strength in you, and if it so please you, be a source of strength to others."
Bro. Rene