God Gives You the Strength to Stand Through Storms

Have you ever faced something so difficult that you didn't know how you were going to make it? Maybe it was your health, your finances, your family, or something that was draining every bit of strength you had. You looked at the situation and didn't know what else to do.

I've been there. Sometimes things come up, and you simply don't know how you're going to make it. But I want you to understand something: God has given you the power to stand.

You don't have to face life's storms depending on your own strength.

Where Does Your Strength Come From During Difficult Times?

Your strength comes from God, not from your own ability to handle everything life brings.

In Ephesians 6:10, we're instructed to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Notice where that strength comes from. It doesn't say to be strong because you've got everything figured out. It tells us to draw our strength from the Lord.

Many of us have faced situations that tested our faith. Some situations attacked our bodies, our minds, our finances, and our families. We found ourselves in places where all we knew to do was stand.

But here's what I want you to understand. God doesn't expect you to stand in your own strength. He's going to empower you and give you the ability to stand.

When things come up and you don't know how you're going to make it, you've got to go back to the source.

Stand on the Word of God. Stand on the promises of God. Stand on the power of God.

Whatever you're going through, remember where your strength comes from.

How Can You Stand Firm When Life Keeps Getting Harder?

You stand firm by making a decision to trust God before your circumstances change.

Standing doesn't just happen because you say you're going to stand. You've got to make up your mind. You've got to decide that no matter what comes your way, you're going to continue trusting God.

In Ephesians 6:13, we're instructed to put on God's armor so we can resist the enemy and remain standing after the battle.

Notice something about that. The Scripture doesn't tell us there won't be a battle. It tells us how to remain standing when the battle comes.

Sometimes you're going through something, and the situation seems to get worse instead of better. You're praying, you're believing, and you're wondering how much more you can take.

But God is bigger than the storm.

And He's not asking you to go through it alone. He's giving you what you need to withstand the pressure.

There's a difference between standing and withstanding. Standing represents daily steadfastness. Withstanding means holding your ground when you're directly under pressure or attack.

God is looking for people who will do both.

What Has God Given You to Help You Stand?

God has given you spiritual armor, His Word, faith, and prayer to help you remain strong.

In Ephesians 6:11, we're told to put on God's armor so we can stand against the enemy's strategies. That armor includes truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God.

Think about what that means. God didn't tell you to stand and then leave you without what you needed.

He's equipping you for the stand.

In Ephesians 6:16, we're instructed to take up the shield of faith. Faith matters because the enemy will try to bring fear, doubt, and discouragement into your situation.

But you don't have to accept everything the enemy brings against you.

You've got the equipment to stand your ground.

And don't forget prayer. Ephesians 6:18 teaches us to pray in the Spirit at all times and remain persistent in prayer.

I've heard our pastor encourage us again and again to pray in the Holy Ghost. He's not telling us that because it sounds good. He's telling us because prayer is necessary. Prayer strengthens you.

When you feel yourself getting weak, pray in the Holy Ghost. Draw strength from God.

Can Your Faith Encourage Someone Else Through Their Storm?

Yes, your decision to keep standing can show someone else that God is able to bring them through their difficulties too.

I thank God for Pastor Donald Gray. I've watched him stand through many storms and trials. Growing up in Red Hook, I've seen pastors come, and I've seen them go. But our pastor has continued standing.

When there were efforts to take the church property, he stood his ground. Through discouragement and difficulties, he kept standing.

How was he able to do it? Because God was with him.

And the same God who strengthened him is able to strengthen you.

Sometimes God allows other people to see what you're going through. They see the pressure, the difficulties, and the circumstances. But they also see you continuing to trust Him.

Your testimony matters. Somebody needs to know that the God who brought you through can bring them through too.

So whatever you're facing today, don't give up because the storm looks bigger than your strength.

Go back to the source. Keep praying. Keep trusting. Hold on to God's Word.

And when you feel like you can't make it, remember what I'm telling you today.

You can stand, because God has given you the power to stand.