Have you ever heard the phrase “going from strength to strength?”  I found it in the definition of the word thrive.
I hear that word a lot in my circles. We want to thrive in our lives. We don’t want to just get through our days feeling like they are passing us by. In our lives as wives, mothers, in our jobs, in our ministries, and in our relationships, we want to thrive.

to thrive:

going from strength to strength

to progress toward or realize a goal despite of circumstances

to grow, to flourish

Psalm 84:7 says,

They go from strength to strength (increasing in victorious power): each of them appears before God in Zion.

Much of Psalm 84 is talking about being in the presence of God, of finding strength and hope in Him. Verse 5 says,

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You.

On our own, we are pretty strong women. We can get through…we get it done. But, for me, when hard circumstances come, I feel my own strength depleted. Sometimes I am shocked as to how little can bring me to my knees.

2 Corinthians 12:9 says,

My grace (my favor, lovingkindness, and mercy) is enough for you. My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in your weakness…the strength and power of Christ may rest (pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me.

I had a great visual of this this past weekend. I am not a tent person…definitely more of a hotel gal. Matt and the littles pitched the tent in the backyard, where we enjoyed a wonderful campfire filled with stories told as we licked marshmallows off our fingers. And then, Mama went in to shower and climb into my clean, spiderless bed. That night we had quite the rainstorm with whipping winds and the rain pouring down at times. I expected them to come in during the night, cold and wet, seeking shelter where the wind and rain couldn’t touch them. But bright and early the next morning, they emerged from the tent, dry, rested, and happy. The tent had covered them and protected them. They were able to sleep through the night in the midst of the storm.

I want His strength and power to pitch a tent over me and cover me – but not only when I feel weak but consistently – to DWELL there.

To go from strength to strength, thriving in my day to day life.

Staying in His presence, growing, and flourishing.

Sometimes it feels like an impossibly slow process. But it is a process, increasing progress. Going toward a goal, despite the circumstances.

Will you come under the tent with me today?

Go to Him and rely on His grace, favor, and lovingkindness, letting His strength come through us in our weakest moments. We can thrive in HIM.