I don’t know about you, but I could do with a little more stērizō. I’m not talking about downing a stiff drink or taking a vitamin supplement but about a Greek word used in the New Testament, which means “to strengthen, fix something in place, establish, make strong.” Stērizō is about being made strong on the inside so that no matter what we face, we can stand firm in hope and faith. What’s more we are to stērizō others, strengthening them as we have been strengthened.
When it comes to stērizō, Paul was a champion. But he shared his strength in a surprising way: he boasted of his weakness. Why? Because he was certain that his weakness was the conduit for God’s strength. If you feel weak today, don’t wallow in your weakness but thank God for it, asking him to use it as a pathway for stērizō.
Promises in Scripture
The LORD is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
The LORD gives his people strength. (Psalm 28:7-8)
Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong…. (Romans 16:25)
So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen. (1 Thessalonians 3:13)
