The Power of God’s Strength: A Comparison with Self-Affirmation

I recently purchased a fantastic electronic notebook. With it, I can write, take notes, read, and organize without the internet. Even though it was costly, I have never regretted buying it since it has been so useful. I also found a custom organizer for it on Etsy, which I use to plan, set goals, track work, remind myself of appointments, do my Bible studies, and log activities.

One of the pages in this organizer focuses on affirmations – you know, the “I am” statements. When I looked at this page, my mind immediately went to the fundamental differences between affirmations of self and the promises of God.

The first self-assertion on the affirmation prompts says, “I am capable of achieving anything I set my mind to.”

You can ask pretty much anyone in your life if they have achieved everything they set their mind to, and they would say no. Although it is a great idea to set goals, and there is a sense of accomplishment when we achieve them, there will be times when unexpected obstacles get in our way, and we let ourselves or others down.

Just these past few weeks during the Olympics, we have seen world-class athletes compete for gold, silver, or bronze medals. I am sure that all the athletes set their minds to winning, yet despite intense mental and physical training, only one person or group took home the gold.

This particular self-affirmation is fallible and misleading since we don’t accomplish everything and anything we want; however, the Word of God is just the opposite. The Bible is truth and wisdom we can rely on, build from, and rest in.

Ephesians 3:20-21 says, “Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

This verse does not focus on what we can accomplish but on what Christ can do. Christ has no limitations! I have witnessed this in my own life. During times when I thought things were impossible, God has performed miracles of healing, provision, and protection.

When I was 29, I sat on a beach, crying non-stop, after a night of partying. I felt broken, and my soul felt shattered. Time after time, I had set goals and resolutions for myself, which were never accomplished in a way that made me feel complete or fulfilled. For years, I had become someone I didn’t like and made choices that haunted me. I used drugs, alcohol, and sexual relationships to mask my pain and try to forget the poor and dangerous decisions I made over the past 13 years. I was running for so long and trying to live life on my own that I was exhausted in every sense of the word.

But God met me on that beach with a release and freedom I did not know was possible. I knew who God was since I grew up in the church. I knew I was saved, but for so many years, I chose to live in the captivity of my life choices and emotions.

As the sun rose on the beach, and I asked God to take control of my life and forgive me, I felt the newness and hope that can only come from him. But it didn’t stop there. God was about to do so much more than I could have imagined or expected. After that fantastic and unforgettable moment of intimacy with the kind and loving God of the universe, he created a hedge of protection around me. I no longer wanted or desired anything from my former life and saw it for the darkness it was.

The smell of cigarette smoke made me sick. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I had smoked since I was 13. I did not want to drink or do drugs, and just the thought of going out was exhausting and unappealing. The lust I used to feel and the desire for validation through relationships was gone. When I say gone, I mean gone!

This verse also tells us that God instills his power in us! Not only does God give us more than we ask or think, but he also instills his unshakeable and infallible power in us through Christ!

The world around us today is fraught with war, disasters, pain, division, and confusion. We encounter so many things daily that can make us feel powerless, disheartened, and anxious. We also live in a time when appearances matter, and people online show us the kind of lives we may want to emulate. Yet, when we can’t achieve their success, many will feel inadequate or unfulfilled with their looks or what they have. There are also times in our lives when we may look like we are doing good outside, but inwardly, there is chaos, and we feel alone, hopeless, and defeated.

But we don’t have to feel overwhelmed or inadequate. God promises us that his power will work in us and for us! There is no weakness in our hearts that he can’t use for his glory! There is nowhere so dark in us that Christ can’t shine his light! He turns hopelessness into hope and disappointment into faith! His love and strength are never-ending and never failing.

While the world may drain us of our strength, God remains holy and powerful and reclaims our lives with his love and purpose!

While the world drains, God remains and reclaims!