A Bible Verse About Strength (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

A Bible verse about strength:

“The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Is that true?

In even asking that question, does that demonstrate a lack of faith?

This verse about strength is a good example of my dilemma with faith. I feel guilty for asking a question that could logically be construed as being unfaithful.

The point of faith is supposed to be belief despite having no supporting evidence. So I hope that me asking this question is not construed as lacking faith, but perhaps that’s what it truly is.

I think it’s reasonable to ask questions. The problem is that in like many circumstances, there are no answers. You simply have to believe.

But that doesn’t eliminate the question. It just provides the answer.

A personal example of this protection

I’ve mentioned it numerous times in the past, but I suffer from depression. I don’t have any shame in admitting that. It’s just a facet of my life.

The unfortunate part is that, while I have learned ways to mitigate and lessen the dark times, they still affect my family.

The past week or so has been an example of one of these dark times. There wasn’t any concrete reason; nothing profound happened to cause my despair.

Perhaps it was an accumulation of small events.

Maybe there was no discernable reason at all

All I know is that I woke up one day, and I could just tell. Everything was dimmer – shrouded in darkness.

I was without hope. In all facets of my life – personal, relational, emotional, professional – everything. It just seemed like there was no point in doing anything because there was no hope that it could get better.

It’s easy for me to see that as an attack from the evil one. It’s a literal example of a literary event like something that you would read out of a book.

The main character is walking down a dim, wooded path. The shadows envelop him; the air is stagnant and suffocating. Darkness surrounds him and fear creeps in.

Perhaps fear isn’t exactly the same; apathy is probably more appropriate.

It’s hard to really explain this feeling. I don’t feel as though I am accurately conveying the true depth of it.

As I slowly progressed out of this “funk,” a thought occurred to me.

While I still experience these bouts of darkness, they are coming further apart, and they pass quicker than they used to.

I can only attribute that to an increased strength and reliance in accordance with my faith.

It’s certainly nothing that I am doing. The only thing that has changed is that I have trusted God more.

I still bemoan my position in the world and my (in my mind) lack of success. I still wish and hope for more. But I am strengthened, nonetheless.

Going forward

If I can take a step back and think about my circumstances objectively, I think that there’s some strength in acceptance.

I can accept that these dark times will probably continue to come, and they will most certainly affect me.

Perhaps the true strength comes when I no longer permit it to affect my family. At this point, that seems exceptionally difficult.

At least, it would be, for my part. But with the Lord’s strength, I think that should be the expectation. This verse about strength will continue to develop and shape my faith, and that will become tangible.

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