This year my chronic health issues have increased after a mild case of COVID in early September. This resulted in my being home and isolated much more for last six months. After numerous treatments, including one in mid January that finally helped me significantly, I was so weak and had lost so much muscle strength from the weeks of inactivity. Since mid January I have had to steadfastly bit by bit increase activities to rebuild my physical strength. 

Just like after months of inactivity, you have to rebuild muscles bit by bit and endure hard work to regain strength, so we may need to work diligently when our faith falters in hard times. How do we build up our faith muscles in hard times so we remain steadfast? How do we help others when they struggle?

So, how do we grow our faltering faith and encourage this in others?  Today I will share a passage along with a few observations and applications. 

In 1 Samuel 30, David and his mighty men have been victorious in battles and are returning to their families in Ziklag. When they arrive home, they find their village burned down and their wives and children kidnapped by the Amalekites. All of the men were understandably very upset but then decided to take it out on David and were talking about stoning him. Verse 6 says, “And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” Did you see the line, “But David strengthened Himself in the Lord, His God”. In the King James Version it reads, “but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God”. How do we encourage/strengthen ourselves and others in the LORD?

David first went to God. I believe he likely was remembering how God helped him defeat the lion and the bear as a young shepherd boy, recounting how later God enabled him to defeat Goliath with five tiny stones in the strength of the Lord. Reading the life of David you see many trials and battles where things were difficult or dangerous but God helped or rescued him. 

When we remember and recount how God has met us in the past, how He carried us through hardships, gave us His sufficient grace and strength, how He rescued, delivered, provided or healed us in the past, it gives us faith in Him to help or enable us today. One practical way I do this is through journaling. When I am struggling, I can think of a past season and get out that journal and read how God met me before and come away with faith He can do it again. We can recount His past faithfulness to those around us who are also struggling. Remembering His past faithfulness  encourages and strengthens us to endure steadfastly today.

Secondly, we can arm ourselves with the Word of God which is our sword of the Spirit. I imagine David would have remembered how God saved his people from Egypt and helpful promises from God’s Word. Scripture is how Jesus fought off the temptations of Satan in the desert. If Jesus used the Word, think how much we as frail sinners desperately need His Word. Having key verses memorized or readily in view for areas where we struggle or fear, can be lifesavers in times of various trials. Also His word reminds us that  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble in Psalms 46:1  His word in our hearts and mind will help us to stand and be victorious.

Praying to God is the third thing I think David may have done as he encouraged himself in the Lord.  When we regularly are communicating and pouring our hearts out to God, it builds our relationship and strengthens our faith. We can also send out “flare prayers” when in dire situations. We can pray scriptures to Him. I pray Colossians 3:12-17 to prepare my heart before calling a difficult family member. This passage reminds me whose I am and how as His chosen,holy and beloved daughter I should live and treat others. Praying always is also part of the armor of God in Ephesians 6. God hears us and delights to answer prayers that glorify Him or recognizes our great need for Him.

David’s men responded in the anguish of captured family members with bitter souls. They placed the blame on David to the point they wanted to murder him by stoning. What if  instead they had also responded like David and went to God for the strength and encouragement needed to handle this horrible situation? I think of the supernatural perfect peace that passes all understanding , strengthening grace and unity that could have carried them as these went to retrieve their families. 

Lord God, enable us to respond to hardship as David did and run to you for strength and encouragement to help us to steadfastly endure. Lord we desire to quickly run to you and not wander into bitterness or discouragement. Grant us Your wisdom in how we communicate this to those you being into our lives when they are struggling.  Enable them to also run to You for strength rather than become bitter in their souls. Encourage us Lord through all the hard bumps and difficulties of life to respond with steadfastness and joy.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

Blessings,

Deb