[…so that the lame may not be disabled]
This is another one of those “this isn’t what I’d planned on posting today,” but I really need this, so perhaps you do too.
This is it. It’s go time. These next few months are the most difficult for me due to the added challenge of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Neither Andrew nor I have been feeling so great, so your prayers would be much appreciated. Why should we push when we really don’t want to? We should do it for Christ’s sake–for love–to strengthen the weak. (See commentaries at the end.)
“Can Do” List
- I can stay focused on moving forward (Phillipians 3:12-14)
- I can hold onto hope (Hebrews 10:23)
- I can remember why we delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.
“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” –2 Corinthians 12:9-11
- I can continue my studies (Psalm 119:15-16)
- I can rejoice always, be thankful and pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
- I can ask for prayer and pray for others (Ephesians 6:18 )
- I can listen carefully and keep my eyes open (Proverbs 4:20-25)
“The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both. –Proverbs 20:12
- I can think about things carefully and keep my feet from evil. (Proverbs 4:26-27)
- I can be encouraged by, and encourage with, songs of praise (Ephesians 5:19-20 )
- I can praise God (Psalm 103:2)
- I can put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18 ), and I can defeat evil by doing good. (Romans 12:21 )
- I can choose joy (James 1:2-4)
- I can speak the truth with love (Ephesians 4:15)
- I can be an encourager (1 Thessalonians 5:11 ) a friend (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ) and a loving wife (Proverbs 31:10-12)
- I can add to my faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, patience, service for God, kindness for my brothers and sisters in Christ and love as I make my calling and election sure. I already believe! Lord, help me to believe even more! (2 Peter 1:3-11)
- When my health struggles threaten to bring me down, I can remember that this is only temporary and that there are far greater things ahead. (Romans 8:18-25 )
- I can find my peace and joy in Jesus (John 16:33, John 15:9-11)
- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phillipians 4:13)
Doesn’t it feel good to say “I can?” Now, let’s pray for more belief that God is able to do abundantly more than we ask or imagine all through His Spirit in us. Not by our strength but His. (Philippians 2:13)
“Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.” –Hebrews 12 :12-13
(All pics in this post courtesy of Pixabay.com)
“A burden of affliction is apt to make the Christian’s hands hang down, and his knees grow feeble, to dispirit him and discourage him; but against this he must strive, that he may better run his spiritual race and course. Faith and patience enable believers to follow peace and holiness, as a man follows his calling constantly, diligently, and with pleasure.” –Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
“…and to make these paths “straight”, is to make the word of God the rule of walking; to avoid carefully joining anything with it as a rule; to attend constantly on the ordinances of Christ; to go on evenly in a way of believing on Him…–Gill’s Exposition of the Bible
“Keep a right course, and so, that you show examples of good life for others to follow.” –Geneva Study Bible
“In the application, the words are a warning against the shifting courses of men who are ready to turn aside from strict duty when persecution threatens, and seek to avert the danger by compliance with what they do not in heart approve. Whatever may be the result in the case of “the strong” (Romans 14:1, 1 Corinthians 8 ), the example brings destruction on “the weak.” –Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
Kudos, Bravo and Fantastic! Thank you and you did a fine thing here!
Thanks so much for the encouragement. ☺
Tina, you’re very welcome as I really liked what you put up on the blog! I’m toasted here; had a self-imposed deadline on myself to get this latest blog complete and spent hours on finding the right photos and then doing some work on them in my computer with the software. I didn’t even stop for a drink or dinner. I’ll get back to you soon!
God bless you! 🤗
Lawrence
God Bless you too! ☺
So much talk in this world about things it’s our right to choose, nice to see something about things it’s our calling to choose.
Thanks Mr.T. ☺
With Jesus there are many things we can do little sister 🙂
Yes, amen. ☺
Great post! So positive.
Thank you! ☺
Very encouraging Tina! Thank you. We can do all things through Christ.
Yes, amen. Thanks, Dawn.
Good post…I have to stop and remind myself that “I can (through Him” when I get caught up in the stress and hurry of stuff and start saying “I can’t”
Praying for ya.
Thank you so much for the prayers. We do need them!
It’s very good to say “I can” like I can join you in being thankful for all the things I can do
Thanks, Brenda. ❤
Hi Tina, I myself don’t suffer from Sad but I will pray for you. The good news is that we are at the end of January and we are now heading towards the lighter nights 😊
Thank you so much for the prayers and the word of encouragement. ☺
Wow! What an inspiring post! Too often we allow our circumstances to bring us down, and we make excuses on why we can’t. I love the way you turned this around and found all the things you can do. I am saving this post! I love it! … By the way, I wanted to have a Bible verse for the year to go along with my word for the year – Grace. Yesterday morning I asked God to show me what Bible verse it should be. So thanks to your post, I think He is telling me to use “My Grace is sufficient for you…” 💜 hmmm. That kind of goes along with the theme of surrender as well!
Yes, it does! ☺ Thanks, Bridget. I think I’m going to have to print up my post. I need the constant reminders right now of what I can do.
Great idea!
It is really good to focus on what we can do through Christ. Many a times I think more about what I can’t.
Very encouraging post 😊.
Yes, so true. We all can find ourselves in this mindset especially during a difficult season. We need more positive! It’s there, we just have to apply it and believe on God to supply that strength. I’m giving myself this pep talk too. ☺
Thanks for a positive, uplifting article. I will pray for you and Andrew. 🤗
Thanks, Sally. I am praying for you too. ❤
Your prayers are much appreciated, Tina. Thanks. 🤗
❤