Strength for the Journey ⁽¹⁷⁾

Your Weakness is Upheld by His Perfect Power "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on…

United Prayer Helps When Waiting "They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers." — Acts 1:14 (NIV) Waiting can feel lonelier than the loss itself. After the shock, after the funeral, after…

When Comfort Meets What Is Broken "For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ." — 2 Corinthians 1:5 (NIV) Some grief leaves visible cracks. You may still function, speak, work, answer messages, and sit among…

Sometimes, a Sharp-Tongued Friend Can Cut Through Your Grief "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." — Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) Grief can make correction feel like an attack. A hard word can land on already-bruised places. A question can feel intrusive. A challenge…

Being Still is not Surrendering to Grief! "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." — Psalm 46:10 (NIV) Stillness can feel unbearable when grief has trained your body to stay…

God Will Always Protect Your Breaking Point "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way…

Grieve if You Must, But Find Solace in What is Real "Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare."…

Please Hold Me Close, Dear Lord "Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." — Jeremiah 17:14 (NIV) Illness exposes what comfort hides. You learn how fragile strength can be and…

Sustained on the Sickbed* "The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness." — Psalm 41:3 (NIV) *This verse must be handled with care. Psalm 41:3 is not a promise that every illness will be cured immediately in this…

Let God Sustain You in Your Grief "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." — Isaiah…

When You are Exhausted, Let God Lead You Higher "From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I." — Psalm 61:2 (NIV) There are days when strength…

God's Way Is Perfect, His Shield Sure "As for God, his way is perfect: the Lord's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him." — 2 Samuel 22:31 (NIV) Life often feels unpredictable and unsafe. Plans fail, trust is broken, and strength…