Taking Hold of God's StrengthSample

STEP 1: Admit Your Need

You probably know someone who tries to do everything by himself or herself, without help. Maybe that person is you? I still remember my oldest son, Harrison, when he was a little boy. Once I said, “Son, take the trash cans out.” I knew that both of the trash cans were completely full and that they were very heavy. I knew he did not have the ability or the strength to get those trash cans out to the curb. Still, he said, “Okay,” and he went out and started tugging on those trash cans. He couldn’t get them to budge. I said, “Let me help you, son.” I’ll never forget it. He said, “No. I do it.” 

He was just a little kid, but already he was unwilling to admit his need. He could not do it, but he was tugging and tugging and tugging. We were there for about 30 seconds. Finally I said, “Son, let me help you.” I grabbed the other handle and basically took that trash can to the curb while he was just hanging on. He really wasn’t helping or moving anything, but he was moving under my direction. He required my strength in order to get the job done. 

Many times God reaches out to help us; but in our pride, we try to do everything ourselves. God instructs us and leads us to do things knowing that we can never accomplish them without relying upon His strength. Yet, we end up trying to do them only with the flesh, leaning on our own understanding rather than trusting in Him. 

In 2 Corinthians chapter 12, Paul writes about how he prayed to be delivered from a messenger of Satan. That word messenger is translated angel throughout the New Testament. There had been an angel—a fallen angel, a demon spirit if you wish—dispatched from Satan to harass Paul. Paul prays for deliverance, and the Lord answers him. 

We read in 2 Corinthians 12:9–10, And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

Paul went beyond just admitting his need for God’s strength. He went to the point of saying that he will boast in his infirmities. That word literally means an inability to produce results. It was like Paul was saying, “I’m going to go so far as to boast about the fact that I cannot do it, that the problem is too big for me. It’s too high. It’s too wide. It’s too complex. I’m going to boast that I can’t, because when I can’t, He can. His strength comes into full power in my weakness.” 

For some people, this first step forward is going to be the hardest. You have to say, “God, I cannot do this, but I am looking to You.” Still, this does not mean you do nothing. Very rarely is faith inactive—which leads us to the next step. 

Take Hold 

Identify a big goal or dream for your life that you have not been able to accomplish. It is okay to dream big. Then, give it up to God. Admit that you’ll never be able to reach it on your own, and ask for God’s strength to make it possible. Let go of your “control” over it, and have faith that it’s now in God’s hands.