But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength.
Isaiah 40:31
For the past several years, I have chosen a word of the year. What is this “word of the year” you ask? According to AARP, “Picking a word of the year brings clarity and focus to who we want to be.” Your word can reflect where you feel you are being led and can serve as a reminder to stay the course. Also, by selecting a word, you can learn to lean on the Lord for guidance in your everyday life.
Towards the end of 2021, I began to think about my word for 2022. Immediately the word that came to mind was “strength.” I didn’t jump up and down and shout, “Yes! This is my word!” when it came to me. Instead, I tucked it away and placed it on my heart. As the rest of 2021 unfolded, the word “strength” kept coming to me, and so then I knew that this word was sent to me by God.
When reading Isaiah 40:31, the prophet clearly illustrates how waiting for the Lord is where we will receive strength. Our strength comes when we admit that we need His. Pastor Drew Hunter states, “We acknowledge that we need the strength only He can give. And we wait for Him, which is more than just passing time. In Hebrew, this word carries with it a sense of hopeful expectation. In the midst of hardship, we look to Him as the one who works all things together for our good.” (https://www.crossway.org/articles/what-does-isaiah-4031-mean/)
As the first month of 2022 comes to a close, I clearly see why God placed the word strength on my heart. This month, my family has faced a crisis situation, along with being quarantined due to illness. These two events have caused some major shifting to occur within our household. I have since discovered a strength that can only come from Him. Relying on His strength and not my own has helped me to release control and trust in the waiting.
While I’ve been waiting, I have been worshiping. The song, “Wait on You” by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music reminds us to trust in the One who is always true! When we learn to lean on Him for everything, He will give us His strength to endure the hardships of life.