Strength in Weakness
Strength in weakness—sounds like an oxymoron. However, when you are weak it is possible to be strong, just as Paul says in 2 Corinthians.
The activity of bringing fears to mind, chewing them over, and creating mental worst-case scenarios is called worry.
Behind worry is the basic assumption that God isn't involved in our situation for our good. Looking at things from that perspective, our nature is to think and respond to things apart from God in the picture.
Jesus tells us to not worry (Matthew 6:25-33). If things in this world constantly distract your mind you are worrying. Worry doesn't help us, or solve anything. Instead, focus on God and His purposes.
Strength in weakness—sounds like an oxymoron. However, when you are weak it is possible to be strong, just as Paul says in 2 Corinthians.
If you’ve ever been in that muddy hole called the Slough of Despond, you can relate to Christian in The Pilgrim’s Progress. Despondency, or the pits, is really pessimism. It’s a gloomy, negative attitude, which often comes when we rely on ourselves instead of God. Whenever negative thoughts come knocking, don’t open the door. Instead, turn your thoughts to God.
Most of us have this idealistic idea about Christmas, but it will never be perfect. And you know what? The first Christmas wasn’t perfect either. It was beyond messy. So why worry when things go wrong this year?
The theme of Philippians is the joy that comes from being confident that Christ is in full control.
Anxiety can be an addiction. The good news is that God has provided an escape—a way of liberation to laugh again.
Worry. The nagging sense that your world is spinning out of control. Feeling hopeless and powerless to overcome. Oppressed by circumstances, addicted to anxiety, and running on empty.
Rather than lamenting our culture’s failure to acknowledge our great and powerful God, let’s turn our full attention to Him who is enthroned above us, who reigns over us, because He alone is our shalom, shalom.
Despite knowing in my heart God is sovereign, I battled with stress every day. Not hearing back from potential employers felt unbearable and I was consumed with helplessness and worry.
We’re all in a race called life. It began when we took our first breath and ends when we take our last. We run our race one moment at a time, one day at a time.
The 10 verses we’ll examine in this lesson flow very naturally out of what our Lord had just finished saying. They represent such a complete unit that little is left to be added or amplified. And talk about an up-to-date subject! No one can improve on Jesus’ instruction on worry. If we would simply do as He says, our anxiety levels would reduce to zero and our joy would know new heights.