“Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’ ” (Joel 3:10 NKJV)

This hard for some to say

The above passage says, “Let the weak say ‘I am strong’.” This is hard for some to do because they say, “Isn’t this lying to say you are something you’re not?” The answer is, no, you are not lying whenever you get into agreement with what God’s Word says, no matter how things may look to you. You can say you are strong, even when weak, when you understand what God’s Word says about His strength being there for you, especially when you need it the most, during times of weakness. Read on.

You can say you are strong because God has become your strength through salvation

“The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.” (Exo. 15:2 ESV)

You can say you are strong because God has commanded you to be so

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Josh. 1:9 ESV)

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (1 Cor. 16:19 ESV)

You can say you are strong because God goes with you

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deut. 31:6 ESV)

You can say you are strong because His grace is sufficient

“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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:9-10 ESV)

Therefore…

“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (1 Chron. 16:11 ESV)

“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.” (Isa. 40:29 ESV)

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

“A faithful man will abound with blessings.” (Prov. 28:20)

A lesson about faithfulness

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?” (Luke 16:10-11 ESV)

God looks all over the earth to find those who are faithful

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” (2 Chron. 16:9)

Good and faithful servants

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” (Matt. 25.21 ESV)

Be found faithful

“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” (1 Cor. 4:2)

“Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Rev. 2:10h

“Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14)

Ask in Jesus’ Name to be saved

“For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Rom. 29:13 ESV)

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 ESV)

Ask in Jesus’ Name to bear fruit

“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.” (John 15:16)

Ask in Jesus’ Name so that your joy will be full

“…ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.” (John 16-24)

Therefore…

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Col. 3:17)

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (John 16:13 ESV)

The Holy Spirit will help and teach you

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 ESV)

God has plans for you

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11 ESV)

Wait on the Lord

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isa. 40:31 ESV)

Therefore…

“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 31:24 ESV)

“I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8 ESV)

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Heb. 4:16 NLT)

Come boldly and confidently into God’s presence

“Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” (Eph. 3:12 NLT)

Hold firmly to confidence because Christ is faithful

“But Christ is faithful as the Son over God's house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.” (Heb. 3:6 NIV)

Therefore…

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,

and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (Heb.10:18-23 NIV)

“He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:3-4)

We have hope through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Rom. 15:4)

Jesus is our blessed hope

“Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…” (Titus 2:13)

Therefore…

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Rom. 15:13)

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.” (Psalm 39:7)

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116:15 ESV)

Most mornings, over the last couple of years, I stop by a local extended care facility to help a friend of mine get up and go to breakfast. I pour his coffee and while I’m at it, I walk around the dining room and pour coffee for others. I’ve gotten to know most of their names and have heard some of their personal stories. Like Bob Miller, for instance, who just passed away at 92-years old. I loved Bob’s radiant smile and cheerful greeting each day. Bob was quick to tell me and everyone else he met, that he loved Jesus and that he was still an active member of Gideons Bible Society. Bob attended and even led a Bible study at the facility. I always loved hearing his enthusiastically told stories, which he had lots of. Bob told me he was looking forward to “being promoted to glory”, as he happily put it. Of course, Bob is there now and I’m sure, is more alive now, than ever. The Bible points out that when we live for Christ, “to die is gain!”

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21 ESV

Therefore…

“For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.” (Rom. 14:8 ESV)

“Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” (2 Cor. 5:8 ESV)

“For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.” (Acts 8:7 ESV)

A demonic outburst

Last Sunday as we left our church service we were confronted by a woman who was waving her arms wildly and shouting angrily at people leaving the service and saying she worshipped Jerry Lewis as her god and savior. It seemed obvious that she was demonically Influenced. On the drive home I wondered if I should have been bold enough to say to her: “Demon, in the Name of Jesus Christ, I demand you release this woman and leave her immediately.” I later texted my pastor about it (in case he didn’t know what had happened) and I told him that I had wondered if I should have demanded the demon release her. He replied and said to do so, if it ever happens again, and if I should feel so led.

How Jesus dealt with the demon possessed

• Blind and mute - “Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw.” (Matt. 12:22 ESV)

• Multiple demons - “And also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out…” (Luke 8:2 ESV)

• Oppressed by demons - “That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.” (Matt. 8:16 ESV)

Believers will do what Jesus did

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do.” (John 14:12)

“… In this world we are like Jesus.” (1 John 4:17 NIV)

“Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.” (1 John 2:6)

Believers will cast out demons in the Name of Jesus

“And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons…” (Mark. 16:17 ESV)

Yes, we are in a spiritual battle

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…” (2 Cor. 10:3-5 ESV)

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 ESV)

A warning

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.” (Matt. 3:43-45 ESV)

Therefore…

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 ESV)

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 4:4 ESV)

“And give no opportunity to the devil.” (Eph. 4:27 ESV)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Phil. 4:6 NIV)

This is rather long this time, but because so many people (including myself) have been affected by anxiety attacks, and because the Bible offers a solution to it, even commanding that we “don’t be anxious about anything”, I’m writing about it.

Anxiety disorders are rampant in North America

According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, approximately 30 percent of the adult population in North America have an anxiety disorder. It’s also become a massive business industry. More than $42 billion a year is spent by those seeking help for anxiety disorders, almost one third of the $148 billion total mental health bill for the U.S. More than $22.84 billion of those costs are associated with the repeated use of healthcare services, as those with anxiety disorders seek relief.

Anxiety defined

Anxiety is an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physical signs (such as tension, sweating, and increased pulse rate), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), defines panic attacks as: A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause.

Anxiety or panic attacks:

According to its basic definition an anxiety or panic attack is an overwhelming fear that affects you mentally, emotionally and irrationally. It is out of control fear. It’s like fear on steroids! Panic becomes a disorder when panic attacks are frequent and interfere with a normal lifestyle — The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), defines panic attacks as: A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause.[1]

My story

I can clearly remember my very first anxiety attack. I was ten-years-old and my twelve-year-old brother and I we’re home alone. We were living with our step father who was away at work. My brother had hot-wired daddy’s pickup and was about to drive it out onto the busy main road. I was afraid that he’d get killed and begged him not to go. But, he pushed me aside and did it anyway. At that moment I became overwhelmed with anxiety. I couldn’t breath and soon collapsed onto the ground. The neighbors found me there and called daddy at work who came home and took me to the hospital. After that, I had frequent panic attacks that came without warning. Over the next three years I was in an out of hospitals as doctors treated me all kinds of ways. Nothing worked. I was never told I could control or stop these attacks.

An unexpected discovery

When I turned 13, I moved to Alaska to live with my mother. I wasn’t there very long until an anxiety attack came on suddenly. My mother didn’t know anything about them and had never seen me have one. She said, “What’s happening to you?” And I replied, “I’m having an attack!” And she stuck her finger in my face and said, “Stop that this instant! You hear me! You aren’t having any of that here! So, Knock it off this instant!” I remember being startled by what she said and I stopped having the attack. This was the first time I ever stopped having an attack! It was a revelation — I could control them! Later on, after I had received Christ, I found a lot of Scriptures about controlling fear. In fact, the Bible says 365 times, not to fear, one for each day of the year!

Understand that fear is NOT from God

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Tim. 1:7 NLT)

Exercise self control which is given to you by the Holy Spirit

“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” (Prov. 25:28 NlT)

”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Gal. 5:22-23)

Do not let your heart be troubled or fearful

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:27)

Cast your anxiety on God (let Him handle it)

“…casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

Do not be anxious for God will strengthen you

“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'” (Isa. 41:10)

God will deliver you from all your fears

“I sought the LORD, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)

Therefore…

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.” (Col. 3:15)

“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.” (Psalm 56:3)

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus…” (Phil 4:7 NASB)