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FINDING STRENGTH IN TIMES OF WEAKNESS.
by Isaiah-Phillips Akintola

Strength, that inner ability and resolve to remain strong when everyone else is falling apart because they can no longer see what lies ahead is an essential ingredient for fulfilling that visionary mission God has placed before us. Yet, it’s often surprising to learn that true strength and courage can emerge from the most unexpected people and places one could imagine. How do we draw strength from defeat, exhaustion, rejection, fear, or uncertainty? The answer lies in our faith and perspective. How we view life profoundly impacts how we respond to challenges, no matter their origin.

Scripture reminds us in 1 Corinthians 1:26-27 that God’s ways are not our ways. He often chooses what the world considers foolish, weak, or insignificant to accomplish His divine purposes. This means that our strength doesn’t come from human might or worldly success but from embracing our dependence on God’s power. True strength is forged in the crucible of adversity, where we face challenges that defy our own wisdom, natural abilities and force us to rely on His supernatural provision.

Our struggles are often more internal than external. They are battles of the mind and heart, where our weaknesses and strengths coexist. These are shaped by the quality of our vision, the ability to see beyond our circumstances and tap into the divine deposit of heaven’s work within us. Ordinary people with extraordinary vision have repeatedly turned impossible situations into stories of defiance and triumph. Their strength came not from their own abilities but from their alignment with God’s perspective.

Consider the lives of David and Nehemiah, two biblical figures who exemplify this principle. David, a shepherd boy, faced the giant Goliath not with conventional weapons but with faith in God’s promise and a vision of victory (1 Samuel 17:45-47) Similarly, Nehemiah encountered the seemingly insurmountable task of rebuilding Jerusalem’s broken walls and burnt gates.

Despite the hostility of his environment and the weight of his nation’s defeat, Nehemiah drew strength from his vision of restoration. He rallied the people, trusted in God’s guidance, and turned a hopeless situation into a story of national revival (Nehemiah 2:17-20, 6:15-16 ).

Nehemiah’s story teaches us that God can use our apparent defeats as the foundation for future victories. He calls us to rise above our circumstances, even when we find ourselves in hostile environments. In fact, it is often in the midst of opposition that we confront our own definitions of failure and discover the depth of God’s strength within us. As 2 Corinthians 12:9 declares, God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. When we feel inadequate, His grace becomes our sufficiency.

One of the greatest obstacles to our strength is the weight of yesterday’s failures. The emotions and memories of past defeats can blur our vision and drain our resolve. But true strength comes from fixing our eyes on what lies ahead, not dwelling on what or who tried to defeat us in the past.

The apostle Paul captures this truth in Philippians 3:13-14, urging us to forget what is behind and press forward toward the goal God has set before us. This requires a shift in perspective—a deliberate choice to focus on gratitude and trust, even in the face of uncertainty.

Learning to leave behind the pain of yesterday is not easy, but it is possible when we anchor our hearts in God’s promises. Gratitude becomes a powerful tool for reframing our vision. When we choose to thank God in every situation, we shift our focus from our limitations to His limitless power. This attitude strengthens our resolve and reminds us that our strength is not rooted in our own abilities but in the unshakable knowledge that we are called and entrusted with a unique, God-given mandate.

Even in moments of defeat, when we feel beaten down or overwhelmed, we must remember this truth: we have the power to rise again. Just as a phoenix rises from the ashes, we can use the remnants of our setbacks to rebuild, brick by brick, a wall of courage and strength. This wall will stand as a testament to God’s faithfulness, defying the lies that say we will never achieve what we were designed for.

So, get up. Find strength even in your failures. Draw courage from the truth that you are called, chosen, and equipped by heaven itself. Step into the destiny God has ordained for you, knowing that His strength is made perfect in your weakness.

As Isaiah 40:31 promises, those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles, run and not grow weary, walk and not faint. Let this be your anthem as you move forward in faith, courage, and unwavering resolve