The Journey So Far

Over the last few weeks, I have begun sharing my journey this year — what God has been teaching and challenging me with — and (the ultimate vulnerability) my book. In the midst of all of this, I have been met with tremendous support from friends, family, and strangers who became new friends. It has been staggering to see the absolute outpouring of love and support. 

One of my church’s elders read my book to ensure theological soundness. He also spent time talking with me about possible improvements to the book for reader engagement. My church’s senior pastor’s wife wrote a contribution chapter for the book. I have given my unpublished manuscript to over twenty friends and family members who volunteered their time, wisdom, and energy to act as Beta Readers, providing valuable feedback and encouragement to help me improve my book. 

If that wasn’t enough, I already have a growing list of people wanting to join the Launch Team for my book! The outpouring of support has honestly been hard for me to wrap my mind around! Dozens of people are cheering me on and investing in the message behind this book. 

---

A Fire in My Bones: When God’s Message Burns Within

After four months of writing and crafting this message, I have felt like I was drinking from the “fire hose” of God’s revelation! I became familiar with Jeremiah’s sentiments when he said, “There is a burning fire in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I am weary of holding it in. I cannot!” (Jeremiah 20:9). Like Jeremiah, I felt that holy fire in my bones. It is a divine restlessness that refuses to be silent until obedience comes.

 When I had thoughts, revelations from the Lord, and promptings to “Go write this down!” in the book, and wasn’t obedient right away, that holy fire burned hot within me. I felt as if I would burst! I would get weary of holding it in.

I say all this to say that the message of this book is not just from Chelsea. I really believe this is a message entrusted to me from the Lord, as He has used the seasons of my life, the consequences of my own actions, and His divine discipline and intervention to teach me hidden truths from His Word. 

With the holy fire also comes refining. The same God who filled my heart with His message began testing my willingness to release it. As the truth of this message unfolded in my book, I began to feel a tug on my heart to share it — even before publishing. 

When Obedience is Intimidating

This was the hardest moment for me. It wasn’t the tears shed as the Lord walked me through vivid memories of past traumas and my ugly responses to the Lord, although those moments with the Lord were very challenging for me. No. The scariest part was when God told me it was time to start sharing the message. The rubber was about to meet the road! 

It would’ve been so easy to finish the book and quietly publish it on Amazon. No fuss. No social media. No website. No blog posts. Just click, click, submit. Problem solved! Then, “God would put it in front of whoever needed to read it!” Right? That sounds so faith-filled! Well… wrong. God had other plans. He wanted me to follow Him, partner with Him, and submit to Him throughout the whole process—including the most vulnerable parts (like sharing the message on social media and promoting my book). 

That’s when I finally committed to follow His leading, no matter the cost. And I was met with such love and encouragement from so many people around me, both in person and on social media. 

---

Unexpected Pushback

Amid so much encouragement, I also encountered unexpected pushback. The enemy started coming against me hard: division and frustration in my home, sleepless nights, and an onslaught of whispers telling me to stop, to give up, to stop being an imposter, to stop acting like I have anything worth sharing. 

I also heard so many whispers of rejection: “Why hasn’t that person said anything to me about my book? They didn’t even like my post sharing about my book? Sheesh, I wonder what they must think of me. I can’t believe I shared that in my post. They must think I’m such an imposter.” The whispers I could share! I could go on and on. 

The enemy has plagued my thoughts with “You’re not worthy. You’re a fake. No one wants to read your story. No one cares.” Even in the midst of conflict with people close to me, the evil snarls of “And you think you should write a Christian book? Psh. Sure! You’re the last person who should write a book like this!” It’s been exhausting. Draining. Discouraging. Like a vampire of faith, hope, and motivation.

Even amid so much encouragement, those destructive whispers weighed more heavily on my heart. And, I am embarrassed to admit, I even found myself focused more on the negativity than the outpouring of love. However, even as the lies grew louder, God’s truth began to speak louder still.

---

Combatting the Lies and Insecurities

Despite the enemy’s onslaught, God remained faithful and present in my heart and in my circumstances. He was with me through every lie. At times, it felt like that cartoon moment, with the angel and the devil on each shoulder, warring for my attention. Lies would whisper. God’s voice would break through. Even amid my heart feeling so weighed down, I found solace in the Lord and in His Word. The battle I found myself raging began to fuel the fire even more, and I sought the Lord more fervently. 

Two specific passages of Scripture most ministered to my heart. I began to use these verses as Jesus used the Word when He was tempted in the wilderness: 1 Samuel 30:6b and Psalm 103.

In 1 Samuel 30, David was at a point in his wilderness wanderings that was quite possibly his lowest emotional and spiritual point. He had been living in spiritual compromise by submitting himself to one of the Philistine kings, acting as a personal mercenary for the evil king. After being released from the king’s service, David and his men returned to the Philistine town of Ziklag, where they had been living. 

When they arrived, they found the town ransacked and their families all kidnapped by the Amalekite marauders. David’s men were angry and vented their rage on their leader, David. They spoke of mutiny and stoning him! It was at this point that we see David’s response to his agony: “…David strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (1 Samuel 30:6b). When he was at his lowest, he turned to his only source of hope and comfort: the Lord his God. This passage has become an anchor verse for me — a reminder that when everything burns down, worship can still rebuild what’s been lost.

In Psalm 103, we find one of the most beautiful prayers in all of Scripture. In my opinion, his times of “strengthening himself in the Lord” during his wilderness lows helped shape the power of this prayer. David shows us in this Psalm what it looks like to strengthen yourself in the Lord. Although the entire Psalm is powerful, I found solace in the first five verses, which is what I will share with you now:

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:1-5). 

Strengthening in the Lord

In times of distress, attack, discouragement, weariness, or rejection, this Psalm stands as a beautiful picture of what it looks like to strengthen yourself in the Lord. When our souls long to give us under the weight of hardship or discouragement, our spirit man needs to partner with the Holy Spirit within us and say, “No more, Soul! You will bless the Lord! Everything in me, bless the Lord! You will not focus on the hard things. You will not focus on the discouragement or weariness. You will remember and focus on all of His benefits, on His forgiveness, on His power, on His redemption, on His love, on His mercy, and on His goodness!” And, sometimes, we need to pray this over and over until our soul submits to the truth in this Psalm.

As I strengthened (and am still strengthening, as the attacks are still hitting me!) myself in the Lord, I prayed Psalm 103 verbatim and added my own elements of prayer and speaking truth over myself! I found myself leaning more and more on the truth of His Word and the power of the message He imparted to me over the lies of the enemy to discourage me. 

---

When Discouragement Crouches at Your Door

All of this is to encourage you in the midst of your season. When lies come to steal your peace, your calling, or your courage, do as David did: strengthen yourself in the Lord. Don’t turn to the advice of others. Don’t let yourself disappear in social media scrolling. Don’t give up. And for sure, don’t give in to the lies! Instead, turn to the Lord! 

Practical Ways to Strengthen Yourself in the Lord

Try some of these practical reminders: Write down Psalm 103:1-5 on several notecards and place them around your house as consistent reminders to yourself on how to strengthen yourself in the Lord. Make a phone wallpaper with the verse centered on the screen so you see it every time you look at your phone. Memorize Psalm 103:1-5 to speak and pray it over yourself when you feel yourself growing weary of life’s heaviness. 

The Lord is quick to provide the strength we need when we turn to Him for it. Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-10, emphasis added). This isn’t just a “David thing.” No, it’s a GOD thing. And the Lord Himself reminds us of this during His earthly ministry! So, if you don’t listen to me or David, listen to Jesus. Go to Him for strength. He is always ready to respond to us when we come to Him. 

I want to leave you with a few more verses to reflect on as you strengthen yourself in the Lord. As I clung to His Word, these verses became the steady rhythm of my heart — and I pray they will strengthen yours too.

Exodus 15:2 – The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

Isaiah 12:2 – Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.

Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

Psalm 46:1–3 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

Isaiah 40:29 – He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Psalm 22:19 – But you, O Lord, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid!

Psalm 18:32 – The God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless.

Philippians 4:12–13 – I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

---

Takeaway & Reflection

When discouragement whispers, strengthen yourself in the Lord by remembering His goodness and rehearsing His promises. Leave a comment below and tell me which Bible verse encouraged you the most. 

Do you have any additional wisdom or experience in strengthening yourself in the Lord? Let me and other readers know in the comments. 

If this encouraged you, share it with a friend walking through a hard chapter. To follow the journey, sign up for my newsletter below!

---

Read more from Chelsea

• Strengthened in the Lord: Important Lessons from the Book-Sharing Journey
• Worship in the Waiting: How Praise Reframes Our Pain
• The Potter and the Process: Why God’s Molding Still Matters
• When Life Doesn’t Follow the Script: Trusting God as the Author of Your Story