A couple days ago I spent a good portion of the day building a chicken coop for Ana’s chickens. I used pallets to make the walls. The idea was to save money, but it ended up being more hassle than it was worth. I had to take several of the pallets apart, which was a pain.
Taking the old nails out was especially difficult. They were deeply embedded in the wood and hard to get a grip on. Several of the nails didn’t want to come out with just my regular hammer, so I had to get a crowbar. That did the trick. It’s amazing what a difference using the right amount of leverage can make.
Many times we face challenges which are too hard for us to overcome on our own. Deeply embedded sins, old habits, buried hurts. We try to work them out on our own, but just end up frustrated and depressed and sometimes worse off than when we began. It can be pretty discouraging.
There is a better way. The problem I’m facing may see impossible, but Jesus said,
“with God everything is possible.” (Matthew 19:26 NLT). God provides the leverage we need to do the impossible. Even if your faith is as small as a mustard seed, with God’s power, you can move mountains. (Matthew 17:20).
Today, if you’re facing a challenge that seems more than you can handle, remember you are not alone. Jesus is with you, ready to lend a hand, to give you the leverage you need to succeed. So, instead of giving in to discouragement, step out in faith and declare, like the Apostle Paul, “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13).