Made Strong. Colossians 1:11. Paul's prayer for those saints was that their spiritual perception would lead them to a worthy walk, a fuller life, a greater knowledge of God, and increased strength to serve Him. The request for power was that they might be able to endure with divine strength, the suffering that comes with a godly walk. God's people need Him so they can be patient and strong under pressure. A dark, stoic face is not what is expected in a Christian going through a tough time. The patience shown with a joyful spirit and face has a powerful positive impact on those who watch and wonder at the grace of God in action. The moral excellence of a thankful spirit is not common for those who suffer. By God's power, His grace is revealed when someone chooses joy over resentment and thankfulness instead of selfishness.
This spiritual strength does not originate from within us; it comes from the Holy Spirit who dwells inside us. The power of His glory and authority is connected with His name, far surpassing any human effort to achieve moral excellence. God grows our faith as His Word becomes real to our hearts. Paul prayed for the believers at Colosse that this would be true for them, and I also pray for the saints of God I know in many different places that this strength will be theirs.
I recognize clear changes in some who once were impatient when things didn’t go as they wanted. There were times in their unsaved days when their temper took over, and they said and did things that were uncalled for. Since God reached and saved them by His grace, they have learned through trials and difficulties beyond their control that God allows these experiences so others, as well as themselves, can see that God has done something far greater than just changing some wrong habits. There are lessons to be learned and inner changes that come from someone who was once weak but has now been made strong.
Many people say, "I guess that is just the way I am. I was born like this, so I guess I'll stay like this." However, when we come to know the Lord, we find strength in Jesus' name to control short tempers when we take time to pray. God, in His grace, can make us strong, so there's a fundamental change, and that temper that once was so short is now, by grace, made long. We may not understand all the changes that happen to us when God saves us and may even think it's strange that most of our strongest habits are gone. God teaches us the truth that His strength is made perfect in weakness.
Another aspect of this transformation stands out: joy can be found in nearly every situation. In the past, when I didn't get my way, I might complain or think negative thoughts about someone else. I might even have a dark expression that I hoped would make the other person concede to my opinion. Now that I am saved by grace, surprisingly, joy arises from within, and I can see many reasons for joy to be expressed openly and clearly. I realize that complaints and grudges are truly sins, and my joy can visibly demonstrate faith in Christ.
We can only please God when He strengthens us. His glorious power allows us to face trials with patience and joy. God gives His strength not based on our weakness but according to His glorious power. This strength reassures us that all the endurance and patience we need in any situation are provided and enough. Endurance protects us against opposition, and patience guides our relationships with others. Longsuffering is common among believers who live godly lives, but longsuffering with joy is rarely seen.
When God is allowed to take control of our lives, He provides the strength we need, “As thy days, so shall thy strength be,” and gives our lives a positive outlook. God’s power doesn’t necessarily remove trials and difficulties but grants the power to endure them with patience and longsuffering, crowned with joyfulness. God doesn’t want His children to be unhappy, but to be realistic in ways that will help, not hinder, our growth into maturity. Patience and joy are character traits that go hand in hand and are obvious to those around us.