Trying to walk through quicksand—that is what it feels like when you attempt to make it in your own strength through a difficult circumstance. You may be surviving for now, but it is slow-going and it is takes all of your energy reserve. “How am I ever going to get through this?” you wonder, and “what will life be like on the other side (if I even make it to the other side)?” In times like these, remember the resurrection of Christ and what His gaining victory over death means for you.
The Apostle Paul was no stranger to adversity. Five times he was whipped, three times was beaten with rods, once was stoned, three times was shipwrecked, experienced hunger and thirst, lost sleep to the point of exhaustion, and suffered in the cold.[i] He was thrown into prison, too, and during one of those times, he wrote to a group of believers saying that he prayed God would help them to know…
“…what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe,
according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ
when He raised Him from the dead….”[ii]
Paul knew that secret to getting through tough times was God’s power, the same power God displayed when He brought up Christ from the grave after His suffering and crucifixion.
Think about this for a moment and let it sink in. God wants to extend the same power that raised Christ from the dead to you as you go about your life serving Him. This is mind-boggling! The same force and vitality that brought life into Christ’s broken, crucified body, can strengthen you as you serve Him. As bad as your situation may get, you are not dead like He was! There is hope. Most importantly, God provided the way out of your own sin that is pulling you lower and lower.
What are you facing right now that makes you feel like you are walking through quicksand? Don’t give up. Remember that God is extending to you His mighty power that can help you make it through anything. Will you reach out to Him and receive it?
Our Father in heaven, sometimes I don’t know
how I am going to make it.
Life can seem so difficult and I become weary.
Yet something within me cries out to You, remembering
Your power that raised Christ from the dead. Come and fill
Me with that same power and bring life, strength and vitality.
I look forward to seeing You move in me.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
[i] See 2 Corinthians 11:24-29
[ii] See Ephesians 1:18-20, NKJV