Strengthen What Remains

Every year brings the opportunity for a new beginning.

But what do you do when you finish the year without the energy or belief to move forward into the new? What if your tank is empty and you don’t know how to refuel? The key’s in the ignition but the battery’s flat.

If you don’t have the vessel to receive more you won’t have sufficient to carry more. So, before you even think about the New Year and new beginnings, work on filling your vessel in order to generate sufficiency. Secure yourself in a standing position, and resolve to at least remain standing. Don’t lower yourself into a sitting position with thoughts of depletion. Don’t turn away with feelings that overwhelm you. Don’t cast aside your hopes and dreams – they are more important than ever and they will come alive again.

What can you do?

First, strengthen what remains. Invest some time to refill your capacity. Put thoughts away that feed weakness, vulnerability and disbelief. Delete those things because they aren’t giving you the sustenance that you need.

When you’ve done all you can, stand.

Ephesians 6 in the bible talks about armour that you can clothe yourself with so that you can stand. They involve a belt of truth. A breastplate of righteousness. A helmet of salvation. Shoes fitted with the good news of peace. A shield of faith. And a sword of the Spirit, which is the living word of God. When you have clothed yourself with that, you can remain standing, knowing that this armour is spiritual in nature and can defeat anything natural or supernatural that you might be fighting against.

Remain Standing

Revelation 3:2 (BSB) Wake up and strengthen what remains, which was about to die;

Remember

Deuteronomy 8:18 (LSV) And you have remembered your God YHWH, for it [is] He who is giving power to you to make wealth, in order to establish His covenant which He has sworn to your fathers, as [at] this day.

Relive

Deuteronomy 11:5, 7 (NIV) It was not your children who saw what He did for you in the wilderness until you arrived at this place…. But it was your own eyes that saw all these great things the Lord has done.

Recall

Deuteronomy 11:18-21 (NIV) Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the Lord swore to give

Restore

Job 42:10 (NLV) The Lord returned to Job all the things that he had lost, when he prayed for his friends. The Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

God doesn’t leave us down. Remain faithful. Remain in an attitude of giving and receiving, rather than shutting down and retreating. God is a God who restores. Fully. He is faithful and just. He is loving and compassionate. He is generous and merciful. He is gracious.

Rebuild.

Isaiah 61:4 (GNT) They will rebuild cities that have long been in ruins.

There is always a new day. There is always another way. But only if you determine to remain standing.

Remember where you were going. Relive the outcomes you perceived. Recall the reasons. Prepare yourself to be restored, rather than sink into decline and regret. Ready yourself to rebuild. Then, when you’ve gained the strength you need, regrasp the promises you’ve carried in your heart, recommit, embrace fresh vision and begin to move forward again.

Delete thinking that doesn't benefit your progress forward. Restart the vision and dreams and imaginings that give you a hope and a future, and remove the obstacles with fresh resolve.

God is with you. He hasn’t changed.

 

Philippians 1:6 (GNT)

And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus.