Isaiah 40:31 – “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Life’s challenges can leave us feeling a common problem: skeptical despair about God’s promises. We might feel our struggles are unknown or neglected, as if God is indifferent to suffering or injustice…. When others seem to hear from God or get answers, our heavens can feel quiet. This can lead us to project our own weaknesses onto God, thinking He has forgotten us or disregards our pain.
To correct this perspective, we can appeal to intelligence rather than just emotion during difficult times. This involves focusing on the facts about God’s attributes…. He is everlasting, existing beyond the vanishing point. As the creator, His nature implies providence and sustained care. He has no infirmities, being wholly free from human weakness. He is unsearchable, possessing unfathomable intelligence and wise purpose. Remembering God’s character and purposes through belief can relieve a load of care.
It’s important to recognize that weakness is to be expected. Even those who are young and typically strong can become weary, faint, exhausted, stumble, and fall – there are no “supermen”. However, God makes provision. He has ways of reviving weakness and restoring faith, showing the adequacy of the divine strength where human strength is insufficient. When we faint and have no might, He gives power and increases strength. God is our rock, fortress, deliverer, strength, refuge, and a very present help in trouble… He provides strength for resistance, endurance, holiness, joy, faithful utterance, and perseverance.
The secret to accessing this provision lies in waiting on God6 . Those who wait upon the LORD can expect powerful outcomes:
• Receive Strength For Their Weaknesses: God renews physical, mental (by renewing the mind with His word), moral (being strong in the Lord and putting on His armor), and spiritual strength (through a Spirit-filled life)….
• Enjoy Soaring: They “mount up with wings as eagles,” living with affection set on things above, where Christ is….
• Accomplish the Supernatural in their Work: “They shall run, and not be weary”. Through Christ who strengthens us, we can do works beyond natural ability, even greater works than Jesus did…. God promises His presence, strength, and courage, enabling us to prosper when we meditate on and obey His word….
• Live Successfully in Their Walk: “They shall walk and not Faint”. Power and patience are provided for the common tasks of life. We can run the race set before us by laying aside hindrances and looking to Jesus, who endured for us, enabling us to persevere without fainting…
Remembering these truths, we see that the common problem of feelings of despair is addressed by the correcting picture of facts about God. The complete provision of strength and ability is brought to us by faith. The correct order is: Facts form the foundation, faith rests on the facts, and feelings come last. Like a train, the engine of Fact pulls the car of Faith, with Feelings in the caboose. If we put feelings first, the train won’t move. Just as a prophet helped people focus on facts to fuel their faith, we can get back on track. The unchanging Gospel is the engine that pulls our lives, even when our faith is small or feelings are chaotic.
Last Updated: April 23, 2025 by Johnathan Bass
Finding Strength When You Feel Weak
Isaiah 40:31 – “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Life’s challenges can leave us feeling a common problem: skeptical despair about God’s promises. We might feel our struggles are unknown or neglected, as if God is indifferent to suffering or injustice…. When others seem to hear from God or get answers, our heavens can feel quiet. This can lead us to project our own weaknesses onto God, thinking He has forgotten us or disregards our pain.
To correct this perspective, we can appeal to intelligence rather than just emotion during difficult times. This involves focusing on the facts about God’s attributes…. He is everlasting, existing beyond the vanishing point. As the creator, His nature implies providence and sustained care. He has no infirmities, being wholly free from human weakness. He is unsearchable, possessing unfathomable intelligence and wise purpose. Remembering God’s character and purposes through belief can relieve a load of care.
It’s important to recognize that weakness is to be expected. Even those who are young and typically strong can become weary, faint, exhausted, stumble, and fall – there are no “supermen”. However, God makes provision. He has ways of reviving weakness and restoring faith, showing the adequacy of the divine strength where human strength is insufficient. When we faint and have no might, He gives power and increases strength. God is our rock, fortress, deliverer, strength, refuge, and a very present help in trouble… He provides strength for resistance, endurance, holiness, joy, faithful utterance, and perseverance.
The secret to accessing this provision lies in waiting on God6 . Those who wait upon the LORD can expect powerful outcomes:
• Receive Strength For Their Weaknesses: God renews physical, mental (by renewing the mind with His word), moral (being strong in the Lord and putting on His armor), and spiritual strength (through a Spirit-filled life)….
• Enjoy Soaring: They “mount up with wings as eagles,” living with affection set on things above, where Christ is….
• Accomplish the Supernatural in their Work: “They shall run, and not be weary”. Through Christ who strengthens us, we can do works beyond natural ability, even greater works than Jesus did…. God promises His presence, strength, and courage, enabling us to prosper when we meditate on and obey His word….
• Live Successfully in Their Walk: “They shall walk and not Faint”. Power and patience are provided for the common tasks of life. We can run the race set before us by laying aside hindrances and looking to Jesus, who endured for us, enabling us to persevere without fainting…
Remembering these truths, we see that the common problem of feelings of despair is addressed by the correcting picture of facts about God. The complete provision of strength and ability is brought to us by faith. The correct order is: Facts form the foundation, faith rests on the facts, and feelings come last. Like a train, the engine of Fact pulls the car of Faith, with Feelings in the caboose. If we put feelings first, the train won’t move. Just as a prophet helped people focus on facts to fuel their faith, we can get back on track. The unchanging Gospel is the engine that pulls our lives, even when our faith is small or feelings are chaotic.
Category: Uncategorized Tags: christian living, eagles, encouragement, strength, strong, weakness, weary