Strength in the Waiting
How do we gain strength?
I’m not talking about physical endurance—though that matters too. I’m talking about internal energy. That drive in your gut. The spiritual grit that keeps you moving when life gets heavy.
Because what happens when you’ve got all the muscle in the world, but no drive? What happens when you’re perfectly equipped to perform, but you lack the motivation to move?
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I remember standing on a mountain river—
a log jam under my feet, water flowing smooth beneath me.
The perfect bait on the line, and the biggest bull trout I’d ever seen just floating there.
The current didn’t faze him. My lure bounced off his face. I was buzzing with excitement. But he? Nothing. No interest. No hunger.
He had all the strength and none of the desire.
Looking back, I saw myself in that fish.
I saw us in that fish.
So many of us are full. Not fulfilled—just full.
Full of life’s noise.
Full of media, ego, appointments, beer, doughnuts.
Full of everyone else’s emergencies.
Overflowing with cares and expectations.
From the outside, we look strong—like that trout. But inside, we’re drained. Deficient in passion and energy. Tired.
We’ve got the tools, the muscle, the knowledge—but not the spark.
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“He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts.
Even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon GOD get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
they walk and don’t lag behind.”
— Isaiah 40:29–31 (MSG)
Even the young get weary.
Overextending ourselves isn’t age-specific. Lately, I’ve been leaning into some old-man wisdom—working smarter, not harder. Slowing down to do things right. But even then, a guy can fall behind.
But God has strength for us.
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The picture in my mind is this:
We’re running ahead, giving it everything we’ve got.
Then we stop, hands on our knees, panting.
And God casually walks by and says,
“You coming?”
Waiting on Him isn’t about Him catching up—it’s about us realigning.
Resting.
Resetting.
Finding His pace again.
When we wait on the Lord, we start to see our priorities line up with His. We’re invited not just to walk again, but to walk with Him.
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You ever heard an old carbureted engine out of timing?
It shakes, rattles, and sounds like it’s about to fall apart.
All the horsepower’s there—but the spark isn’t hitting right.
Then a little twist of the distributor cap, a flash of the timing light…
and boom—everything smooths out.
That deep, satisfying purr returns.
You hit the gas, the frame twists with torque, and you hear power.
There’s nothing like a tuned-up engine.
And there’s nothing like a tuned-up man of God.
Waiting on the Lord is letting Him time your spark.
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I believe He’s calling us to wait on Him—with self-control, with patience—so our strength can be renewed.
In the waiting, we’re positioned.
In the waiting, we’re aligned.
In the waiting, the spark is restored.
Being tired? That’s just poor positioning.
Feeling overwhelmed? That’s just misalignment.
Be encouraged:
Your spark isn’t gone—it just needs a tune-up.
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Written by: Gabe Voorhees