Did you know that you can talk yourself into defeat or talk yourself into victory? You can also talk yourself into weakness or talk yourself into strength. When you speak to yourself the right way, courage comes, determination comes, vision comes. Every time you say, "This is too hard. Strength is leaving. I can't do this anymore," you're getting weaker. "I'm so disappointed. I can't believe this happened," you're inviting discouragement. When you say, "I am well able," you're inviting strength. "I can do all things through Christ," you're inviting favor.
You may feel tired, but don't verbalize it. Don't give fuel to that negative feeling by speaking it out. The scripture says, "Let the weak say 'I am strong.'" It doesn't say, "Let the weak talk about the weakness." "Let the sick talk about the sickness." "Let the disappointed talk about that bad break." No, turn it around and say, "Yes, this is tough, but I am strong in the Lord. I know God is fighting my battles. He always causes me to triumph!" That's what it means to take hold of His strength.
Isaiah put it this way, "If you'll wait on the Lord, He will renew your strength. You will mount up with wings like eagles. You will run and not be weary. You will walk and not faint."
Now, "waiting on the Lord" doesn't mean that you sit back passively or remain idle. That word "wait" in one translation says, "Those who look for God's goodness, who expect His favor, who long for His blessing." Waiting is supposed to be active. That means you have the attitude, "Lord, thank You that You're turning this situation around. Thank You that You're bigger than this difficulty, stronger than these opponents. Lord, thank You for bringing my dreams to pass." That's the attitude we should have every single day!
Remember, you won't soar with the eagles if you're negative in your thinking. You won't run and not be weary if you're focused on your problems and how impossible it is. Instead, let your strength be renewed by living with expectancy! Talk yourself into victory and live in victory all the days of your life!
…"Let the weak say 'I am strong.'" (Joel 3:10, NKJV)