How to Have Enough Strength for Today

I check the forecast.

Should I wear long sleeves or short?

Should I carry an umbrella or will it be okay to leave it hanging on the hook in my laundry room?

Getting a peek at the weather helps me feel a little more confident as I prepare for the day.

But some things about today I just can’t know.

Will I get an unexpected phone call that flips my day upside down?

Will one of my clients have a crisis that pulls me from one school to the next?

Will one of my children or my husband or a friend need to talk?

There’s no way to forecast these types of events.

Today looms in front of me with as many unknown variables as an elaborate algebraic equation.

So being prepared for today requires more than just long-sleeves or an umbrella.

Today requires a deep belief that I somehow have the strength to face whatever comes my way –

with no time to muster up more as needed.

Now is the time to prepare.

Not when the phone rings or the text comes through.

I need the strength to handle a challenging day before I even know I’m having one.

So how do I have enough strength for today when I have no idea just how much strength I’ll need?

Psalm 84:5-7 offers a clue this morning.

“Happy are the people whose strength is in you,

whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

As they pass through the Valley of Baca,

they make it a source of spring water,

even the autumn rain will cover it with blessings.

They go from strength to strength;

each appears before God in Zion.”

How can I have enough strength for today?

First, I have to remember where my strength comes from.

He is my source of power –

no matter what my day may hold.

Second, I have to remember where I’m headed.

If my heart is set on a pilgrimage,

then no matter where the day may lead me,

I am ultimately headed toward Him.

He is both my strength and my final destination.

Third, there will be times when I may be called to

pass through “the Valley of Baca,”

which also means “the Valley of Weeping.”

Scripture makes it clear.

It’s not a matter of “if” but “when,”

so I have to know what to do as I pass through….

and this Psalm reminds me.

I must “make it a place of springs.”

No matter how difficult that sounds,

I somehow have to transform my weeping into a place where He can refresh me.

Even as I weep.

Strength comes from knowing my tears can transform me in good ways –

when I face them with Him.

And finally, I have to believe that He will give me the strength for every minute…

and not one more –

as I literally move from “strength to strength.”

That means I don’t need enough strength as I sit here typing these words

as I will need at 11 a.m. driving back from a meeting

or at 2 p.m. sitting in a counseling session

or at any other moment today when I may receive unexpected news.

How can I have enough strength for today?

I can have strength by knowing the One

who has the strength to hold today….

and my tomorrow.

He holds yours too……

in the palm of His hand.

The God who spoke the words,

“Let there be light,”

and with those four small words,

created light,

longs to speak strength into every minute of our day.

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The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer. My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. ~ Psalms 18:2

The Lord is my Light and my Salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? ~ Psalms 27:1

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him. ~ Psalms 28:7

He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might he increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. ~ Isaiah 40:29-31

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~ Isaiah 41:10

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. ~ Isaiah 43:2

Some things about today I just can’t know.

So how can I have strength for today?

By knowing the One who holds it.