Strengths for tough times

BY REV HENRY HONG

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock,  in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.(Psalm 18:2 ESV)

We are in the wilderness navigating an unprecedented pandemic. We feel like being hit by waves of tsunamis that left us lost and uncertain. Even with the gradual relaxing of restrictions, we will still need to maintain our guard and safety measures.

The future of the world’s economies, jobs, healthcare, the role of government, and many other aspects of life are faced with a big question mark. All these compounded by global politics of fear, suspicion, distrust and racism have grown to epidemic levels. People everywhere feel powerless, frightened, agitated, and overwhelmed. We have come face to face with the reality that we are not in control. Only in humility recognizing our human weakness can we then move to a total reliance on God’s strength and salvation.

Like the ancient people of God in the wilderness, we need to re-learn that we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). It is up to us to determine whether these difficult days will bring out the best in us or bring out the worst in us.

I have learned from Lisa Bevere* that tough times like these can help build up the strengths in us for God’s purposes. Give these suggestions a prayerful thought and patient application.

Don’t be afraid to engage in deep conversations.

Close and constant proximity with our spouses, children, family members, or roommates will serve to surface the things that we were too busy to notice and to engage with. Stop arguing to make a point. Instead, treasure the relationship. Give people the same attention and courtesy you’d want for yourself. Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good. Instead of the temptation to give a slug, try giving a hug instead.

When provoked by people seeking to bring out the worst in you, take it to the One who desires to bring out the best in you.

People are rarely ever your real problem, you are. Nor are they your answer. God is. Jesus spoke of what He did coming from the close communion with God the Father (John 5:19). It’s time we did the same. We are in a day when both our independence (self-reliance) and much of our interdependence (community) have been stripped from us. It is time for us to embrace a dependence on the comfort and counsel of the Holy Spirit and the foundation of Scripture.

Learn to speak to your soul.

Hard seasons will try to hang heavy on our souls. In Psalm 42:5, we overhear David address his soul, “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation.”

Cultivate generosity.

We have all heard of voices of insecurity tempting us to hoard what we have. Don’t do it! Seasons of famine are opportune times to give. The early Christian community shared their possessions with all those in need (Acts 4:34-35). Share what you have been bountifully blessed with. Pick up your phone and encourage someone. Say something nice on social media. Let your deeds in this season be seeds of harvest for your next one.

When all else fails, sing.

Nothing lifts our spirits, our hearts and our eyes to the Lord better than singing! That’s why the psalmist in Ps 100:1 reminds us to come into His presence with singing! Thanking God for being our ‘Rock’ and our ‘Refuge’ in past seasons builds hope for our future seasons.

As the good spiritual song reminds us,

“Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand;
But I know who holds tomorrow, And I know who holds my hand.”

We don’t know what our future will look like, but we do know that cultivating strengths in these tough times will allow God to remould us to bear fruit for the next season. Above all, for God’s Glory and Kingdom.

(*Lisa, “5 ways to build strength during the pandemic”; she and her husband, John, cofounded Messenger International to develop uncompromising followers of Christ who transform their world).