STRENGTH FOR THE BATTLE – 2: Strength to Breakthrough
It is a wonderful day to continue the discussion we started yesterday, where we explored what spiritual strength is and how it relates to us as Christians. Today, I want to quickly discuss how we can break through oppositions, because it is certain that anyone moving forward in a godly direction will experience them.
The Power of Internal Strength
I remember when I was about to start my company; I faced a lot of opposition and hit a brick wall. Truly, I wanted to give up and travel abroad. But at the end of the day, after patient endurance and pressing on and on, a breakthrough came.
The point is that many of us give up too soon when facing a battle. We start to compromise or seek quick solutions, which usually ends up bringing even more problems. What we really need is strength for the battle. Our internal strength must be greater than the external pressures of life to keep us pressing on until we break through an obstacle.
Think about it this way: once the internal pressure of a container becomes greater than the external pressure, the container explodes outward. But if it is the other way around, the container caves in. This is why airplanes are pressurized internally; as they fly higher, external environment get harsher and can kill passengers. Pressurizing the cabin internally helps balance the pressure to avoid those problems.
If that example is a bit complex, let's look at another: a car tyre is able to carry a very heavy vehicle because of the air pressure inside it. If the pressure drops or the load increases beyond capacity, the tyre fails. Indirectly, it is the internal air pressure that enables the tyre to bear heavy loads. We must take a lesson from these examples and understand that as we climb higher in life, we will face bigger challenges, but our internal strength will determine whether we emerge victorious.
Guarding Against the Pressures of the Last Days
We are entering a season when there will be more pressure on believers than ever before, and if our inner strength is less than the pressure the world throws at us, we will cave in. This is why Jesus said, And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:12).
Iniquity represents the external pressure, while the love of God represents our internal pressure. Jesus was warning that because external evil will increase in these last days, the internal love of God in many Christians will grow weak, causing them to cave in. That is why I pray that Christians start building their internal strength now, while the pressure is still manageable.
Building Strength Through Obedience
Jesus gave us a vivid picture of this principle through a parable:
“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it” (Matthew 7:24–27).
One important way to build that needed internal strength is by obeying God’s commandments, especially in times of peace. Doing so exercises you to be strong enough to keep obeying even in the midst of battle—that is the open secret to spiritual strength. It is natural for the body to get used to what it does routinely; gym-goers find it difficult at first, but it gets easier with consistency.
In Jesus' parable:
- The rain represents attacks against the mind.
- The flood represents attacks at our feet or obedience.
- The wind represents physical trials and persecutions designed to pressure us into stopping God's work (just like Daniel faced in Daniel 6).
"Standing" in Christian terms means maintaining our walk with God even in the midst of external resistance. In other words, obeying God builds up our spiritual strength. The Scripture says, “The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity” (Proverbs 10:29).
Therefore, I advise that as Christians, we start building our internal strength by choosing to live out what we already know. God will help us by strengthening us through His grace.
Have a blessed day!
Today’s Reading:
Matthew 7, Ephesians 5
Nevertheless, if you are not born again, you can accept Christ today by saying this simple prayer out loud in faith, believing that Jesus Christ died and rose again for your sins:
Prayer for Salvation
“Dear Lord, I believe Jesus died and rose again for me. Forgive me my sins and come into my life. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. Wash me with your precious blood. Thank You,Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.”
Congratulations! Your status has changed to that of a child of God if you said this prayer in faith.