When Perplexed, God Will Empower

Life is full of challenges that range from minor frustrations to those which threaten our safety and security. Without challenges, what would  motivate and inspire you? Imagine Joshua leading his people into a land that still had to be conquered? God promised to empower him with  endurance, courage, and wisdom. This gave him hope and confidence.

Joshua’s faith gave him the self-assurance to accept the challenge God assigned to him. Hope and courage along with confidence are essential for reaching planned objectives and goals. These character strengths prevent problems from being perceived as out of control and you from feeling helpless to conquer them.

Hope provides the incentive to face whatever troubles each new day may bring. Hope is a light that can shine in the darkness to give you courage to face demanding situations, people, and temptations. “Do not allow yourself to be overpowered by evil but conquer evil with good.” You, by way of your faith in Jesus Christ, can be “more than conquers through him who loves you.”  

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When doubts filled my mind, [Lord,] your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.  

~Psalm 94:19 New Living Translation

 

With this news bring cheer to all discouraged ones. Encourage those who are afraid. Tell them, “Be strong, fear not, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.”

~Isaiah 35:3-4 The Living Bible

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Breaking Chains

Forgiveness breaks the chains of our impulse to retaliate against an aggressor. We’re automatically elevated onto a higher level of functioning the moment forgiveness is activated. Giving up bitterness along with the need to punish is a clear demonstration of forgiveness in action. An attitude of forgiveness produces hope for future happiness.



The desire to forgive is empowering. It gives up the demand for retaliation. Once a commitment has been made to forgive, memories of the hurtful behavior may surface to obstruct the commitment to forgive. A key step in giving or receiving forgiveness is absorbing the pain that must be endured until it is cleansed from your heart and soul.

To break the chains of anger and resentment, the forgiving person may need to reaffirm their commitment to forgive. The resurgence of resentment will try to negate the progress forgiveness is capable of achieving. Remember, God will empower you by way of the Holy Spirit to help you restore your resolve to forgive. 

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“The Lord’s Spirit has come to me, because he has chosen me to tell the good news to the poor. The Lord has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners, to give sight to the blind, to free everyone who suffers.”

~Luke 4:18 Contemporary English Version

Plant your feet firmly therefore within the freedom that Christ has won for us, and do not let yourselves be caught again in the shackles of slavery.
~Galatians 5:1 Phillips - New Testament in Modern English

Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get long with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”

~Romans 12:17-19 The Message