Strength in the Storm: Embracing God’s Shelter
Discover how God provides shelter and strength in life’s storms, guiding us to peace and victory.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 (ESV)
Building Resilience: Encouraging Strength in Adversity
Hey friends! Welcome to our new devotional series about finding strength in God when life throws us those unexpected curveballs.
We all know life can be a bit of a rollercoaster, but with God as our navigator, we can handle any twist or turn with grace. Jesus tells us in John 16:33 (ESV), “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
So, let’s buckle up and journey through faith, hope, and resilience together!
Imagine you’re stuck in a hurricane with only an umbrella. Pretty rough, right? But guess what?
God is our ultimate shelter and strength. When the going gets tough, remember, we are never alone. Let’s lean on His peace and embrace the victory He’s already secured for us. Hope is our anchor in life’s choppy waters. Romans 15:13 (ESV) says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” With faith as our foundation, we can face anything with confidence.
Recently we took a family trip to ABQ, NM. If you follow me you will know that we travel quite frequently. So a trip to ABQ is not a big deal at all. But the reason for this trip was to ship off our oldest, Billy, to Basic Training for the US Army. Talk about an emotional rollercoaster!
On one hand, I am extremely proud that he chose to enlist and serve our country. On the other hand, over the last few months, especially the last month, I have been up and down so much it was like when I was learning to fly. Lol.
One moment I’m stoked for him, the next I can’t hold back the tears from my eyes knowing that we will now only see him 2-3 times a year. And maybe less if he is deployed overseas.
The only thing that has really gotten me through is that I know his faith is strong. So strong in fact that it caused my faith to increase! And I know that he is serving his life’s purpose as he goes through the trials that he will.
As a parent, we want to shelter our kids from all these trials and tribulations, but the truth is that we must let them experience them and learn from them. As children of God, there are times that we might think, “Why is God allowing this to happen to me?” We have to KNOW that God has a plan, and His plans are bigger and better than ours. We have to have FAITH!
The Bible is packed with incredible stories where faith leads to amazing triumphs. Philippians 4:13 (ESV) reminds us, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” These stories aren’t just tales; they’re powerful reminders to trust in God’s power and perseverance. Life’s emotional rollercoasters demand strong inner strength. Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) reassures us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Let’s fortify our emotional resilience with prayer and God’s promises, knowing He’s got our back.
And let’s not forget about our youth! Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV) highlights the fruits of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” These qualities are essential for helping our young ones grow strong in faith and character. Long-term resilience is like running a marathon with God as our coach. Isaiah 40:31 (ESV) promises, “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” By continually seeking God, we can sustain our resilience for the long haul, ensuring we don’t burn out along the way.
Join us on this exciting journey over the next few weeks as we dive deeper into each of these topics. Together, we’ll share stories, find strength, and grow in our faith, becoming more resilient each day. Let’s get started and live a God-first life!
Prayer for Resilience
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with open hearts, grateful for Your unwavering love and support. As we begin this journey of building resilience, we acknowledge our need for Your strength and guidance. Lord, You are our refuge and our fortress, a constant presence in times of trouble. When life’s storms rage around us, remind us that You are our shelter and our shield.
Lord Jesus, You promised us peace in the midst of tribulation, and we cling to that promise today. Help us to find comfort in Your words: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Fill our hearts with Your peace, and let it overflow into every area of our lives.
Holy Spirit, anchor us in hope. As Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Empower us to trust in Your goodness and faithfulness, even when circumstances seem bleak. Help us to see beyond our trials to the joy and peace that come from believing in You.
Father, we look to the examples of faith and perseverance in Your Word. Strengthen us to say with confidence, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13). May their stories inspire us to trust in Your power and never give up, knowing that You are with us every step of the way.
Teach us, Lord, to build emotional resilience through prayer and Your promises. Isaiah 41:10 reassures us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Let this truth sink deep into our hearts and minds, giving us courage and strength to face any challenge.
Lord, we pray for our youth. May they grow strong in faith and character, bearing the fruits of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23). Help us to nurture these qualities in them, so they are equipped to handle life’s challenges with grace and strength.
Lastly, Lord, we ask for Your guidance in sustaining our resilience for the long haul. Isaiah 40:31 promises, “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Teach us to wait on You, to trust in Your timing, and to draw our strength from You continually.
Thank You, Lord, for being our constant source of strength and hope. As we journey through this series, help us to grow in faith, encourage one another, and become more resilient each day. We pray all this in the mighty name of Jesus.
Amen.
Dan Greer
