Grow: Be Strong

Source

I first found this verse a few months ago when I was pregnant with my second son and struggling with my weight gain. I was gaining more than I wanted to and more than I should, so I needed to make a change with my diet. I had to exercise restraint in snacking and sugar that I didn’t have to before being pregnant. I always thought that pregnancy was when you could splurge. But not me. And I was struggling with that reality. I didn’t want to restrain myself, but for the good of my body and my self image, I had to. And that’s when I found this verse.

It pleases [the Lord] to make [me] strong.

Not only does God make me strong, but it gives Him pleasure to do so. The fact that He is pleased to strengthen me was so encouraging. If even wicked people do that which pleases them wholeheartedly, think how much more the Lord pours into doing what He loves to do.

So while this is not a post specifically about Lent, many of you might be going through a period of fasting, either of a food item or an activity that you love. So it’s hard to give it up day after day. But be encouraged:

 It pleases [the Lord] to make [you] strong.


P.S. This verse is also helpful in labor. I can attest to that. 🙂