Shine in the Darkness - Part 2Sampel

Strength

Scripture is filled with many of David’s writings exalting God’s strength and power, including such verses as:

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.  He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2

“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

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

We are also familiar with many of David’s writings where he was experiencing fear, anxiety, and grief.  I Samuel 30 tells the story when David experienced anguish and grief to the point of exhaustion, and then “…David found strength in the Lord his God.” (verse 6)

Scripture shows us that David often found this strength in brutally honest, vulnerable prayers to God, immersing himself in God’s teachings, and faithfully following God’s promptings.

These past several weeks have been difficult and no doubt many are also experiencing fear, anxiety, and grief.  Maybe even to the point of exhaustion.  I imagine you could write brutally honest, vulnerable prayers to God that would be Psalm-worthy.

A challenge many are facing in the transition to working more from home is without the usual physical boundaries of work and home you may unknowingly be overworking since work is always present.  And when you overwork, your connection to God is often neglected.

What do you need to do to find strength in the Lord?  Another way to ask this is, what practices are you engaging in to help you experience a meaningful connection with God?  Reflecting on Scripture?  Engaging in unrushed prayers?  Praying with others (while social-distancing)?  Journaling?  Listening to worship music?  Going for a walk?  Whatever works for you, I encourage you to incorporate a practice or two into your daily rhythm.  It could be just what you need. 

Doing these practices doesn’t necessarily make you more spiritual, but they can be effective in helping you intentionally engage with God and when that connection happens, the God of hope can fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).

Author: Doug Yonamine, Vice President of Human Resources - Global Leadership Network