211 Strength in Weakness

 

7/30/2026

"To say prayers in a decent, delicate way is not heavy work. But

to pray really, to pray till hell feels the ponderous stroke, 

to pray till the iron gates of difficulty are opened, till the mountains

of obstacles are removed, till the mists are exhaled and the clouds

are lifted, and the sunshine of a cloudless day brightens - 

this is hard work, but it is God's work and man's best labor."

 

Some days, most days here lately, my journal is full of ramblings about a world gone mad, pastors and their flock going another way, and once stronger Christians losing faith, weary from the lateness of the hour and the ignorance of those who watch it happen. So where do I fit in the list? 

It's disconcerting to hear my once strong neighbor speak about everyone being corrupt, not being able to trust anyone, and wanting to escape where there's no news. Sadly, there's no such place. Technology has even reached the backwoods of my securest hiding places, so we have to determine to shut devices off and learn to relax. Many are being told that God is in control, so we don't have to be concerned, but we do need to be aware and pray. I won't repeat myself about being a doer of the word, but more action is required if we want to resist the devil and be a voice against the evil in this lawless society. 

My neighbor is much younger than I am, still working, but the office has its own drama. Recently she lost her precious puppy of nineteen years, and this has had a devastating effect on her. Her heart is broken, and rightly so, as pets are so innocent and dependent on their humans that it's like having another child and a best friend. Dogs listen when we're sad, and they cheer us up when nothing else can. It's their unconditional love. Shortly after Fido's death, she learned that a close friend, who had been diagnosed with cancer, had passed away. She admitted that she just didn't think she could handle much more.

Each day I receive numerous emails and text messages asking for prayer for someone with a new diagnosis of cancer. One mention of that diagnosis, and a person flies into a panic. Then the next thing is to ask for prayer, and although they are asking many times for healing, the undertones of doubt are evident. A sense of hopelessness fills the church.

So where do I stand, or fit, in the list above? I haven't changed my point of view, because I know my Redeemer lives, and I know that He conquered death, hell, and the grave, because He said He did. I believe His word, and I stand on it. With all my heart I try to think on the "good, the pure, the lovely, the things of a good report; if there's any virtue, if there is any praise, I think on these things" (Philippians 4:8).

Many things are happening in our world, in our country, but we must keep our focus fixed on Jesus Christ, and be in the word of God. If we are going to walk in faith, we must know why we believe in Christ and put our trust in God in the first place. It's very important to be part of a local church, the body of Christ, with a pastor who teaches the uncompromising word of God. We can't pick and choose scriptures, so when we read and study the Bible, study the scriptures in context. Unless we are grounded in scripture, it becomes increasingly easy to become confused when the enemy brings doubts into our minds and to deviate from the plan of God for our lives. 

Things are happening that I never thought possible, although scripture said it would happen. It's easy to become discouraged when we see well-known men and women of God become ensnared in unholy actions. But rather than become involved in gossip and criticism, use it as an opportunity to pray for others and for restoration. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God. Each day I ask God to set a guard over my thoughts and mouth. If we are to be salt and light in this world, representing Christ to those who do not know Him, then we must examine our hearts daily. We are called to be His hands and feet, reaching out to others. 

In order to do our jobs we have to be rested up and ready to move when God said "Go!"