I’m Stronger Than I Thought

 

Life has a way of testing us, and it is often when we least expect it. We might find ourselves thinking, “Lord, I just got over a bad situation, and now this pops up! When will I be able to just have peace for a little while?” We go through seasons when trials, difficulties, and obstacles seem to come from every direction. Whether they’re physical, emotional, or spiritual, these challenges can leave us feeling weak and overwhelmed. We become uncertain about the future, wondering if it will just be more of the same. In those moments, it's easy to question whether we actually have the strength to endure yet another gut-wrenching struggle. Sometimes, we just don’t feel strong, as if one more thing will break us. 

After a friend’s divorce, she said, “Seeing the woman my ex left me for in my church was too overwhelming – I couldn’t take seeing them together. I can’t go back there.” When reminders of the most hurtful thing you’ve ever experienced creep into your safe place–a sanctuary and haven from brokenness–the harshness of the enemy’s attack feels as if it is invading every part of your life. It’s like the doors are closing in on you. It feels like suddenly, the place you once found refuge in becomes a battlefield, taking you right back to the betrayal that pierced you so deeply. Your place of comfort is now a trigger, and you feel as though you can’t take the chance of putting yourself in that position again. A way out seems impossible.

Telling a person in this position, “You can do it! You’re stronger than you think!” Can seem unsympathetic to their pain. We’ve all been there before, when the weight of our own personal circumstances felt overwhelming, and hearing someone make this statement to us when we were in the thick of it might have seemed like empty words. However, when we’re anchored in Christ, no matter how painful or disruptive situations and circumstances may be, we are always stronger than we think. 

God’s Word is true. That’s a point-blank-period statement that is reality no matter how you slice it. The Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV), “But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”  If we listen to what society tells us, we might think this powerful passage of truth seems upside-down; that’s how backwards the world’s standards are. They tell us that we can do anything we want, that we’re the captains of our own lives, and we don’t need to have faith in God. This is not the truth. Real strength doesn’t come from being able to handle everything on our own. It comes from leaning on God, recognizing His power, and humbling ourselves under His strength. This is what real strength is all about. It’s humbling ourselves and letting God’s love and power show us the victory we already have in Christ. This is what overcomes any obstacle. 

When we’re struggling, it’s easy to feel like we’re barely hanging on. But in those very moments, God’s power will shine through our circumstances if we have faith in Him. His grace is all we need. In our times of weakness, He shows us just how strong He really is. The world tells us to dig deep for strength within ourselves. The reality is that we have none to call our own. We must rely on the One that is far stronger and who will give us exactly what we need to persevere and keep going.

The Power of Perseverance

As Christians, we are often called to endure difficult situations. But the Bible doesn’t leave us to figure out how to persevere on our own. James 1:2-4 (NIV) tells us, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Like my friend, when faced with challenges that seem like a gut-punch, our natural reaction might be to shrink back or look for an escape. But God has a purpose in our trials. He doesn’t cause them, but through His power, intelligence, and grace, He will use what the enemy meant for bad for our good. Romans 8:28 (NLT) reminds us, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”  Even going through what we consider to be the worst struggle of our lives, God can use it for His glory. Every struggle we face can strengthen our faith and build our endurance. Through perseverance, we grow in spiritual maturity and character. We may not see what God is doing in our circumstances immediately, but He’s at work, refining us and shaping us to become more like Christ.

Discovering the Strength Within

Faith in God is all we need when our emotional self begins to act irrational. Faith that no matter what you may feel in the moment, God’s grace is sufficient enough that when it’s all said and done, you will look back on the moment and thank God for keeping you in check. Sometimes, we underestimate our own resilience. Through Christ, we’ve got bounce-backability because God has already equipped us with everything that we need to face life’s challenges. Ephesians 6:10 (NIV) says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”  Our strength is not about what we can do in our own abilities. It’s about tapping into the strength that God provides. The Holy Spirit empowers us to face adversity with courage and confidence, knowing that we are never alone in the battle.

When we look back at the times we’ve already overcome, we can often see how God was working through us, even when we didn’t feel strong. Each step we take in our struggles builds our trust in God’s provision and His faithfulness. The more we lean on Him, the stronger our faith becomes.

The truth is, we’re stronger than we think, not because of who we are, but because of the One who is with us. It’s easy to forget this when we’re in the middle of the struggle, and it feels like our lives are falling apart. But we have to draw near to God no matter what, recognizing His presence and power at work in our lives. He won’t fail us ever. Philippians 4:13 tells us that we can do all things through Jesus Christ, and when we trust this and look to God, we discover that the strength we need has been available all along. 

The Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®), copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“I'm Stronger Than I Thought”, written by Kim for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.■