Ephesians 6:10
¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (NIV)

We can choose to be weak, to be defeated, to be hopeless, to be down and out, or we can choose to be strong. There is a reservoir within us of God’s superlative strength. We can choose to be strong in His mighty power or we can turn a blind eye to what He has given us. How are you ‘being’ today?

Being strong in the Lord is not inherent in the human soul. We have been infected with sin separating us from God. God’s love for us gives assurance that He is with us and His power gives assurance that no one can keep Him from protecting, defending, building up, and blessing those who put their trust in Him. ‘Being strong’ doesn’t just happen because sin has separated us from love. And the Bible says that love drives out fear so when we struggle to sense the love God has for us, fear saturates our souls. ‘Being’ strong is a willful act we must do.

Being strong begins with a thought. We must remind ourselves that we have been saved. The sin that had the power to keep us from all God has for us has been washed away. God has tossed it into the Sea of Forgetfulness. We remember, but God chooses to forget. He looks at us and sees nothing that would disqualify us from receiving His power. So He dumps it into us.

We must remind ourselves of what is true. When we struggle to know what is true, the Spirit reminds us that Jesus is the truth. If Jesus would not agree with your thoughts, they have been born out of Hell. We remind ourselves of the power of the Word that we have learned, studied, and meditated upon. We remind ourselves that we have been credited with the righteousness of Christ. No arrow from the enemy’s bow can penetrate. We stir these thoughts in us and choose them as the firm foundation of our thoughts, words, and behavior.

As we remind ourselves of these, fear remains and fights. But as we persist, resisting the temptation to let fear dictate our words, thoughts, and action, the devil is bound by the law and He must flee. Make a decision today to think about these things, let them move you until the fear has been brought low. And if fear returns, re-arm your mind and stomp it out again.

Prayer: Lord, help me stir these thoughts, hold on to them, move upon them, and stomp out fear every time. Amen.