Repurposed Faith Quiet Time ChallengeSample

"WORDS OF HOPE WHEN WEAK"

In talking with people over the past few years about the obstacles that keep them from having a consistent and meaningful quiet time with God, I often hear them talk about chronic health problems, burnout, or fatigue associated with caregiving, aging, or emotional and physical stress. One friend talked about the guilt she had when she didn’t spend time with God.

She had to learn to release that self-imposed guilt and push past her feelings. Then she began a gratitude journal that refocused her attitude. When she could honestly journal her feelings, she grew closer to God even through hardship and pain.

Although we know that God is strong and we are weak, it’s hard to imagine that God can use that very weakness to demonstrate His power in us. If we can remember that these temporary “earth suits” are only a shadow of the things to come for believers in Christ, we can then have renewed hope both now and for the future.

Today’s challenge:
• If you are tired, worn, and disconnected from God, think of yourself as a cell phone that has lost its battery. Push past your feelings and plug into your power source for at least ten minutes to meditate on the Bible.
• Pray, being specific in your request, that God would strengthen you.
• Meditate on what it means to have God’s grace meet you at the point of your need.
• Proverbs 18:10 (NASB) speaks of the name of the Lord as being a strong tower that we can run into and be safe. Isaiah 40:29 (NLT) says that He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Run towards God today and receive His strength.
• Meditate on this question:
o What are some ways Christ can work through you despite your circumstances?