Proverbs 24
Scripture
Proverbs 24:10
“If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!”
Observation-What does it say?
King Solomon questions those who crack under pressure. The ones who shrivel up once there is any small sign of adversity. He questions their strength of character, a fruit that comes from possessing wisdom...wisdom which comes from God.
Understanding-What does it mean?
When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
So we decided to follow Christ, and thought our life would be "clear sailing" or "all peachy". Boy oh boy!.. we couldn't be more wrong! Even Jesus faced trials and adversity during His time on earth. What makes us think we can be exempt from it?
The first step is to understand that WE WILL face hardships and struggles in life. We are not exempt from it just because we follow Christ. If anything, the more we will be under persecution because of our faith.
“And all nations will hate you because you are my followers.”-Matthew 10:22a NLT
The next step is to trust that God has a reason behind everything. There is a reason that we may be facing hardships or adversity in life. Know that God is using it to build your character and make you stronger. I go back to the old weightlifting analogy here. How do our muscles get stronger? It's when they are put under stress and resistance, and we learn to push through and overcome the temporary pain, where we come back stronger the next time around. It's the same thing when God puts us under those stressful situations in life. He may be using it to build us up spiritually. We just have to remember that when things seem to be getting a bit tough and a bit "too heavy" for us, we need to rely on His strength, and not our own to get us through.
“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NLT
Finally, learn to embrace those tough situations. If God is using them to build us up and make us stronger, we should welcome it. This way we can help others who may not be as strong, to get strong. Our strength will point to the Lord, and Lord willing encourage those around us to find that strength in Him as well. And also remember that we have the God of the universe watching our backs. We can do all things through Him who gives us strength!-Philippians 4:13.
Life Application
What kind of man am I going to be? What kind of people will I surround myself with?
Father God, help me to be the man You called me to be. Give me strength to stand up to the challenges in life. Allow me to become spiritually stronger each day through You. May You use me to help strengthen others. May You surround me with people who will help support me when I feel tired and weak. May I always remember that You are with me every step of the way, and that all things are possible with You beside me. In Jesus name I pray these things, Amen.