“God can handle your anger, disappointment, even bitterness. But walking away from Jesus is forsaking your only hope out of heartache.”- John Eldredge
“But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all things . . . and to stand before the Son of Man.”- Luke 21:36 (ESV)
In Chapter 3 (“The Strength That Prevails”) of Resilient, John Eldredge discusses the strength Jesus refers to in Luke 21:36. Here Jesus offers no ordinary strength or simply optimism. Or feeling refreshed for a new day. Because hard times require more than willpower.
Therefore, John stresses, Jesus warns, urges, and practically commands us to ask for strength. Hence, in the above text Luke uses the Greek word katischuo, meaning to:
- be strong to another’s detriment
- prevail against
- be superior in strength
- overcome, to prevail
Above all, forces – the powers of hell – exist urging us to quit. To crush the human heart, especially the heart of Christ-followers. Thus, Jesus urges us to ask for a combative strength, a strength to win the fight. Consequently, John exhorts:
“Disillusionment sets us up for a serious loss of heart. . . . This is exactly what the enemy has planned all along. But this is our moment, and Jesus offers us strength, so let us seize it now with both hands while we still can. . . .
That weariness you’re feeling, the Not now; maybe later, that sense of being overwhelmed, that Why bother? Who cares? — this is the enemy not you. When you know that, you’re much better prepared against it. You can more clearly choose to resist.”
In conclusion, the author notes, the first fruit of katischuo consists of the ability to not give up. As a result, the strength that prevails first comes to us as simply the strength to persevere. So, tap into the strength that prevails with a single-hearted spirit. God comes to the help of the single-hearted (2 Chronicles 16:9).
Today’s question: How do you see Jesus as your only hope out of heartache? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The beautiful resilience Jesus offers”
