How to Get Spiritual Strength

Luke 22:42

And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

Jesus expended much energy in His prayer right before He was to be crucified. In fact, the Scripture says that he prayed so earnestly that his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Strength to fulfill God’s will was needed if He was to die on the cross and pay for the sins of mankind. As we see in the verse above, God gave Him strength to continue. As we look at the Scriptures, we learn several ways to get strength to continue doing God's will when we feel we don't have the strength to continue.

First, wait on the LORD. Isaiah 40:31 says, But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength… The word wait means to serve. You don't get strength by sitting, but you get strength by serving. God has promised to give us strength if we serve Him. You see, God wants us to be a conduit to others, and serving God is always about others; therefore, as I serve others and strengthen them, God's strength flows through me and strengthens me.

Second, read God’s Word. Daniel 10:19 says, …And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened…. One reason you must read God's Word daily is so that you can get the strength you need to do God’s will. You will never find the strength to do God's will each day if you don't spend time in the Scriptures getting the spiritual nourishment you need for that day.

Third, pray. In the verse above, Jesus was praying for strength, and God gave it to Him. Prayer is a great way to get strength to continue in the darkest hours. You gain spiritual strength you need in prayer by unloading the burdens that you are carrying on Christ. You can't carry the load yourself; therefore, prayer is the way to unload the burden so you have the strength to continue.

Fourth, listen to preaching. You will notice in the verse above that God sent an angel from Heaven to give Jesus strength. An angel always represents a preacher. You will never have the strength that you need to do God's will for the week if you miss the preaching services of your church. Every sermon your pastor preaches has strength to help you face the weekly battles ahead. Many don't have strength and quit because they missed the sermon that would have strengthened them through their battles. Preaching is always a source that God uses to give us the strength to do His will throughout the week.

Fifth, strengthen others. Jesus said to Peter in Luke 22:32, But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Jesus was showing that you gain strength by strengthening others. Peter did not get strength by sitting, but by helping others who needed strength. When you don't feel like you have the strength to continue, go try to strengthen someone going through tough times, and God will give you the strength you need to continue.

Sixth, spend time with encouragers. Deuteronomy 3:28 says, But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him…. Moses encouraged Joshua, and his encouragement strengthened Joshua. Spending time with people who are encouragers always helps to build the strength you need when you feel weak.