NOT BY MIGHT ...

Do you feel overwhelmed at times by the amount of tasks on your “to do” list? You can see no way to accomplish these many things in the time frame given. 

I can feel that way – especially as the whole holiday season approaches. Rather than anticipating the enjoyment and celebration just around the corner, I tend to dread the holidays. 

On the negative side of the “season to be jolly” I often feel buried under the magnitude of responsibilities before the arrival of those days. From my perspective, much is added to those responsibilities with nothing removed. “Where shall I ever find the time to do ___________? And ______________? And _________________?”

It is at holiday times when I most often cry out a silent or loud verbal prayer: “O Lord, give me strength!” Being honest, sometimes, it is said more as an expletive than a prayer. Either way, I know I need help.

No matter the particulars of feeling overwhelmed – stressing out is the result. The worries and concerns assault and it becomes a vicious circle of doing – or not doing. I have often felt I would rather sleep through the holiday season and wake up when it is all over.

What an attitude! Yet, I have been there often. How about you? Do you truly enjoy November through January?

Personally, when I cry out: “O Lord, give me strength” I need to recall the verse from the written Word of God:

"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts." (Zechariah 4:6)

Inevitably, I have always found I do get through the season – tired, but with a deep satisfaction. Yes, I have worked hard. And I have accomplished what has been given me to do. Sometimes, through hindsight after all the dust settles, I realize what has happened. 

No matter how imperfect my prayer for strength, my Lord has heard my cry, and He has answered.

We can all cry out to our Savior for strength to be and to do what He would have us do – and honestly, the rest doesn’t matter. He supplies our need. He is our provision. He is our Lord. He is the One Who causes the sun to rise and the sun to set. Surely then, He can more than order the things in my day and in yours.

Take heart, Saints. We have the Source of our strength living within us. Shall we plug in to Him for our every need? I say: “Yes!” How about you?

Amen ~