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I Can’t, He Can – I Need His Strength!

My Weakness His Strength

Father & Daughter, Hannah & Dave
Father & Daughter – Hannah & Dave

I find as we are going through this trial with our daughter, Hannah and trying to balance out life and ministry there are times I feel the weight of it all. It seems like too much to bear!
I have to keep reminding myself of God’s promises. His promises are all true in Christ Jesus.
I feel weak today. One of our good friends, pastor Stephen Phelan visited us in the hospital and he shared one of things that he reminds himself of when he feels weak is, “I can’t, but he can.” Our family has claimed that, and we keep reminding ourselves and Hannah of this truth.
2 Corinthians 12 speaks of God’s strength that is made perfect in our weakness.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV – emphasis mine)

Mother & Daughter - Hannah & Dawn with Daisy
Mother & Daughter – Hannah & Dawn with Daisy

This difficult season serves to show us our weakness in Technicolor. It is not enjoyable, but I know the Lord uses it and he has a purpose in it. We seek to trust him.
Today I woke up feeling very weak. I just posted on my blog yesterday,  A Call to Prayer – Update on Hannah and I sent out an email update. I asked for increased prayer for a breakthrough for Hannah. Since I sent those appeals out I’ve felt attacked, so I realize that our family also needs prayer protection.

Enduring Hope & Renewed Strength

I mentioned Ernest Shackleton maintaining hope among his crew for a year while they were ship-wreaked and stranded in Antarctica. They faced insurmountable odds. I think the longer this goes for us, our hope gets clouded. There’s a fog blocking our sight. So today in Christ’s strength I choose to lift up my eyes to hills from where my help comes. The Lord is my rock and my refuge.
Dawn and I are claiming God’s promises for our family and praying for the renewed strength like the eagle from Isaiah 40.

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for 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 ESV – emphasis mine)

We Need Jesus & We Need You

Dave at the U.S. Mexico border - Life on the Border
Dave at the U.S. Mexico border – Life on the Border

Thanks for joining us on this journey. We can’t got it alone. We need Jesus, and we need a band of brothers and sisters – faithful friends who hold us up! We are thankful that each day Hannah is improving.
One thing I would ask prayer for besides Hannah’s total and complete healing is wisdom as Dawn and I daily try to figure out what we can realistically do, and to be content with that.
In His Loving Grip, Dave
DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

15 Comments

  • By Fashionable Librarian
    Posted February 21, 2015 at 1:31 pm

    May God continue to strengthen you and your family

    • By diasolifeontheborder
      Posted February 21, 2015 at 2:16 pm

      Thank you for your loving words

  • By sustainabilitea
    Posted February 21, 2015 at 1:33 pm

    Praying!!
    janet

    • By diasolifeontheborder
      Posted February 21, 2015 at 2:16 pm

      Thanks so much – we need it!

  • By Dylan
    Posted February 21, 2015 at 2:13 pm

    I love how you ended this article “In His Loving Grip…”
    God’s got you all. He will not give you more than you can bear, and if things feel more than you can bear, you have Him. He will see you through.
    Blessings,
    Dylan

    • By diasolifeontheborder
      Posted February 21, 2015 at 2:17 pm

      Great reminder – thanks for the life giving words!

  • By Sammy
    Posted February 21, 2015 at 2:53 pm

    Hang in there pastor. If God brought it to you then He knows you can handle it. Bless you and your family in this trying time and a special prayer for Hannah.

    • By diasolifeontheborder
      Posted February 26, 2015 at 12:52 pm

      Thanks so much for your encouraging words. I pray the Lord will encourage and bless you richly today!

  • By Anne Marie Winz
    Posted February 21, 2015 at 3:02 pm

    This is battle. Praying warfare prayers for you and your family. Feeling it with you. Keep the updates coming.

    • By diasolifeontheborder
      Posted February 21, 2015 at 6:06 pm

      Thanks – we really appreciate it and it’s good to reconnect with you. Hope your family is doing well.

  • By STRAIGHT TO THE TOP!
    Posted February 21, 2015 at 7:58 pm

    What specifically should I pray for? We don’t know what is going on.
    larryboy3115@att.net

  • By Apple Pie & Napalm
    Posted February 23, 2015 at 10:03 pm

    Sending love and prayer to Hannah.

    • By diasolifeontheborder
      Posted February 24, 2015 at 4:54 pm

      Thanks so much – we appreciate it!

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