Read Psalm 46

Let me give you two very practical thoughts regarding this matter of God's strength through stress, as found in Psalm 46.

First, His strength is immediately available. Our trials are not superficial or irrelevant. They are vehicles of grace that God uses to bring us growth. Superficial problems call for superficial solutions. But real life isn't like that; its headaches and stresses go deeper, right down to the bone. They touch the nerve areas of our security. But God says He is a present help in trouble. He is immediately available. Do you realize that wherever you travel, whatever the time of day, you can call and He will answer? He's a very present and immediate help.

The second thing I observe about God's power in this psalm is that it is overpowering! It's a tent that can stretch over any stress—in fact it's tailor-made for stress. Furthermore, His power is not dependent on our help. You're weak, remember? Have you felt that weakness lately? Maybe it's time to say, "Lord, I love You. Through Your strength I will not be moved. I will stop running, stop striving. I will not fear. I will hold on to You. I will count on You to build that tent around me and protect me from the blast.

God says, "Cease striving, and know that I am God."

Excerpted from Day by Day with Charles Swindoll, Copyright © 2000 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. (Thomas Nelson Publishers). All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.