Strength Renewed

We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. Psalms 78:4

Karen’s husband had made some decisions in his life that had caused a lot of pain and struggle in their marriage. After a few years, God delivered him from the hold that Satan had on his life. Karen and her husband were both ashamed of the turn their life had taken and did their best to keep it secret.

One day, God brought a family into their lives, which was experiencing the same trial they had. God impressed upon Karen’s heart to share how God had given her strength to stand by her husband and support him through his addictions. She was unaware, but her husband felt the same conviction and had also shared what God had done in his life. Their courage and obedience gave someone else hope at a time when it was needed most.

It is important that we share with others how God has helped us through trials. Oftentimes, it is very difficult to share the deepest pain and frustration of our lives, but it is necessary “so each generation can set its hope anew on God” (Psalms 78:7).

Simply sharing our knowledge with someone having struggles similar to what we have been through will encourage them. We all have a tendency to feel that we are the only one who has ever experienced our current problem, and it is true that no one else has experienced exactly what another has. However, we do often share similar circumstances. Just knowing that someone else has been there, survived, and grew closer to God through it can renew our hope and even our faith in God. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint”. When hope is renewed, strength and courage will follow.

Without people sharing what God has done in their lives, others may not know what God can and will accomplish. They may not know about the hope only He can offer.