Needing Spiritual Strength?

There was a point in Joshua’s life where His calling from the Lord was being developed. He was faced with the huge task of being the new leader of the Israelites after Moses’s death. As he looked at his shortcomings, and the people’s constant needs, Joshua felt a deep fear and discouragement.

Perhaps you find yourself facing needs in your life that can only be met miraculously, or perhaps you’ve experienced the loss of a close friend or family member. Whatever the source of your discouragement, be reminded of the words God spoke to Joshua as He looked towards the Jordan river:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Someone once said, “Faith must pass the test of discouragement.” As you apply these 4 steps, I pray that your faith would be strengthened and that God would realign your vision for the plans He has in store for your life.

How To Renew Your Strength In God

1. Look to God as the source of your strength.

We all go through seasons of discouragement. During times like this, the easiest tendency for most of us is to run to those closest to us for strength and comfort.

Although that’s easy to do and even recommended at times, that cannot be what we rely on as the sole source of our motivation. If we constantly rely on others or rely on earthly pleasures to supply what we lack emotionally or spiritually, then we will always fall short of true stability and comfort that only comes from Christ. It will always be more fulfilling and long-lasting when we go to the Lord to supply what we are lacking and then to others.

God desires to be the source of your strength; not for you to find it in your marriage, health, finances, or even your education. Don’t mask your need for God’s strength by trying to fill it with other temporary distractions.

Make God the Source who you run to and receive from.

Philippians says,

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Phillipians 4:13

David says of God, 

The Lord is my strength and my song.

Psalm 118:14

Israel called his God “The Strength of Jacob.”

Reminder: God desires to strengthen you.

When the Apostle Paul found Himself in need, the Bible tells us he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord told Him,

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…

2 Corinthians 12:9

God’s grace is enough. If we draw near to God in search of strength, we will bask in His grace and we’ll find that it’s all we need. If your spouse doesn’t want to serve God, don’t rely on them for stability, strengthen yourself in God and cling to Him.

2. Wait upon the Lord: worship, pray, abide.

Isaiah says,

But those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. 

Isaiah 40:31

God knows what He’s doing in your life. He knows the thoughts you have and the season you’re in. Waiting on God is not easy, but His path is always the most rewarding. Learn to wait on the Lord during this time, by trusting in His promises. The Scripture says waiting on Him will cause our strength to be renewed.

So how exactly can we do that?

Wait on God the same way a waiter waits on their customers. They ask what the customer wants, they bring it to them, and then they wait to see the response of the customer.

In the same way, when we read the Scripture, we see that the Bible is full of examples of what is pleasing to the Lord. One of those things is worship. Through this act, we exalt our God and praise Him for the attributes He has and the blessing that has been in our lives.

With our worship, we serve God the best that we have to offer, a sacrifice of praise.

We give Him praises and thanksgiving, and we wait for the response of His presence.

I want to encourage you to pray, fast, and seek His face if you’re needing His strength. You’ll notice that He will begin to supply what you lack.

There is a reset that takes place in our hearts when we worship and wait on the Lord.

After worship our attitude changes, even when our circumastances don’t.

Allow God to restore you with joy and peace. Let Him renew you.

3. Pray in tongues.

Jude 1:20 says,

But you, dear friends, by building yourself up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.

Jude 1:20

Another verse says,

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself. 

1 Corinthians 14:4

When we pray in tongues, we are strengthening ourselves up in the Lord.

When you feel depleted, discouraged, and empty, one of the best antidotes and weapons to strengthen ourselves, is to pray in tongues.

There is a belief many people hold, and that’s the idea that they cannot speak in tongues because they don’t feel too at that moment. They believe they can only do so when the feeling comes upon them. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Speaking in tongues is a spiritual act, and spiritual acts are activated by choice, not feelings. When we begin to speak in tongues for a few minutes wherever we are, our atmosphere begins to shift. You’ll notice that you will walk out encouraged, even if nothing has changed yet.

Just like Moses did when he walked down the mountain and His face was shining(Exodus 34:31). Moses had been with the Lord and had received direct instructions on how to proceed. Spend time seeking God’s face and activate the gift that is already within you.

This is the path of recovery and strengthening for your soul.

4. Speak to your soul, don’t live in your soul.

David says in Psalms,

Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits. Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 103:1-5

In this verse, we see that David is talking to his soul. He encourages it to not forget the greatness of God and all that He has done for Him.

As people of God, we must follow the example of David and speak to our souls in trying and discouraging times. We are meant to live in the spirit, not out of our unstable emotions (soul).

Take time to encourage your soul. Speak the promises of God to your soul. Tell it who God is, what He has done, and how God will come through just as He has in the past.

Learn to live out of your faith in God’s Word, not out of your soul. We’re meant to speak to our soul and not let it speak to us.

Final Thoughts

3 John says,

I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

3 John 1:2 says

As I mentioned previously, the Holy Spirit will only lead those who He fills. I want to encourage you to spend time with Him. Whatever season you may be facing, allow God to be the first one you run to. May He cause your soul to prosper in times of intimacy with Him because from there, everything else will flow.

A soul who is strengthened is the soul that God speaks to.