“…the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Neh. 8:10 NKJV)

strength: the quality or state of being strong, capacity for exertion or endurance, power to resist force, power of resisting attack, energy, force, might, muscle, power, vigor.

Power, strength and might

The word strength and its derivatives are mentioned over 360 times in the Bible, applying to both natural and supernatural strength. The Greek word katei means “power, strength, might.” In the Bible, strength is often linked to God’s power.

Strength comes from God

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength . . . but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord” (Jer. 9:23–24 ESV)

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13 ESV)

No matter how strong we think we are, “the flesh is weak”

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38 ESV)

Be strong in the Lord

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” (Eph. 6:10)

The Lord gives His children strength to minister to others

“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service…”. (1 Tim. 1:12 ESV)

“…whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11 ESV)

God gives strength to face persecution

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God…” (2 Timothy 1:8)

Be strengthened by His grace

“…it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace...” (Heb. 13:9 ESV)

Therefore…

“I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.” (Psalm 34:1 NLT)

“Praise him for his mighty deeds;

praise him according to his excellent greatness!” (Psalm 150:2 ESV)

“You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.” (Psalm 59:17 NIV)

#10— Does your spouse agree with your decision?

“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” (1 Cor. 9:10 ESV)

If you and your spouse aren’t in complete agreement about it, don’t do it!

“If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” (Mark. 3:25 NIV)

The power of agreement

“Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” (Matt. 18:19 ESV)

#9— Could this decision jeopardize your Integrity or hinder your witness for the Lord?

“Like a trampled spring and a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.” (Prov. 25:26)

Can you do it and maintain your integrity?

“He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.” (Prov. 10:9)

“A righteous man who walks in his integrity—how blessed are his sons after him.” (Prov. 20:7)

“A good name is to be more desired than great riches, favor is better than silver and gold.” (Prov. 22:1)

Is it true, honorable, right, excellent, and praiseworthy?

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” (Phil. 4:8)

Is There a better option that would Allow you to make a greater Impact for God’s Kingdom?

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls.” (Prov. 11:30)

#8 — Have you considered the possible outcomes for your course of action?

“The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.” (Prov. 14:1)

Before making the decision assess the potential risks

Do the “long math.” Consider a contingency plan. What would, or could, you do if it fails and it all “goes south” on you? Remember the age-old advice, “Never risk more than you are willing and able to lose!”

The prudent person considers their steps

“The naïve believes everything, but the prudent man considers his steps.” (Prov. 14:15)

“A prudent man sees evil and hides himself, the naïve proceed and pay the penalty.” (Prov. 27:12)

#7 — Honestly considered warning signs

“He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who forsakes reproof goes astray.” (Prov. 10:17)

Look for the red flags

Remember the old saying, “If it seems too good to be true, it is!”

“There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Prov. 16:25)

The best counsel isn’t always the easiest to hear

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” (Prov. 27:6)

#6 — What Is the collective counsel of your community?

“Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is victory.” (Prov. 11:14)

Don’t be foolish by thinking you have all the answers on the matter

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” (Prov. 12:15 ESV)

“A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own mind.” (Prov. 18:2)

Get advice and instruction from others who understand the matter

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.” (Prov. 19:20 ESV)

#5 — How should past experiences inform your decision?

“Like a dog that returns to its vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.” (Prov. 26:11)

What have you learned from past mistakes?

Look for patterns of behavior that could affect your decision making process.

“A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.” (Prov. 17:10)

Reflect on early instruction you’ve received over your lifetime

“When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction.” (Prov. 24:32)

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Prov. 22:6 ESV)

#4 — Examine the motives driving your decision

“All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives.” (Prov. 16:2)

Honestly assess your motives for making the decision, both good and bad

Acknowledge that you have “blind spots”, everyone does. Give others permission to speak into your life about your decision.

“Who can say, ‘I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin?’” (Prov. 20:9

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Phil. 2:3 ESV)

#3 — Don’t be fearfully pressured to make a premature decision

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” (Col. 3:15 ESV)

Don’t let the fear of missing out drive your decision

Beware of the “once in a lifetime” deal and the lure of instant gratification. Many who have made important decisions too quickly have later said, “I knew I shouldn’t have made that decision, but I went against my gut feeling anyway!” Listen to your inner voice. Remember the age old advice, “When in doubt, don’t! And, the Bible instruction, “Let the peace of God rule” — If there is no peace about it, don’t do it!

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”

Do not be anxious about your decision

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7ESV)

Slow down and wait

“…it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, and he who makes haste with his feet errs.” (Prov. 19:2)

Be diligent!

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.” (Prov. 21:5)