The Illusion of Strength
When Willpower Moves Without God
God designed you with resilience. He wired you for endurance. He placed in you the ability to push forward, to persevere, to outlast obstacles. That drive to keep going—whether in business, training, or life—isn’t an accident. It’s a reflection of the One who never tires, never weakens, never quits.
This is why I love running ultras. I want to show this to the people around me. I want to reflect God to others. Honestly, I feel like I could run around the whole earth if there were a path—because of how big God is.
But here’s the warning: because willpower and resilience are gifts from Him, we can often move forward without Him.
Isaiah 57:10 puts it bluntly:
"You were wearied by the length of your road, yet you did not say, ‘It is no use.’ You found renewed strength; therefore, you did not grow weak."
It sounds like a good thing at first—perseverance, persistence, resilience. But the context of this passage reveals something dangerous: Israel wasn’t persevering in faith; they were persevering in rebellion. They had the strength to keep going, but they were running in the wrong direction—chasing idols, trusting their own way, refusing to turn back.
That’s the danger of human willpower. We can go so far, for so long, without realizing we’re running on fumes.
The Strength That Exhausts You
The world glorifies grind culture. It celebrates resilience—never stop, never quit, never break, stack days.
But what happens when that strength is disconnected from the Source?
Isaiah 57:20 gives the answer:
"But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud."
Israel had a clear picture—a blueprint for rebellion—painted by God. They kept moving, kept striving, kept pushing forward, but they had no peace.
You can push forward in your own strength.
You can even find renewed energy.
But without God, it’s just motion without peace.
A tossing sea—always moving, never arriving.
It reminds me of a flashlight running on a battery. It may shine for a while, but eventually, it goes out. Compare that to a light plugged into the wall—as long as it stays connected, it will never go out.
How many people look strong on the outside but are completely restless within?
How often have you kept pushing forward, ignoring the exhaustion in your spirit?
How many times have you worn yourself out on an endless road, unwilling to admit, I need to stop. I need God.
The Never Finished Challenge – An Invitation to True Strength
Here’s the difference:
The world runs on grit—always striving for more without God.
The kingdom runs on grace—receiving more because of God.
Isaiah 57:18-19 shifts the whole picture:
"I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him… Peace, peace to those far and near, says the Lord. And I will heal them."
God doesn’t wait for you to collapse before He steps in.
He doesn’t wait for you to hit rock bottom before He extends His hand.
He sees your striving. He sees your exhaustion. And instead of leaving you to your own strength, He offers healing, comfort, and peace.
This is the strength that actually lasts.
The kind of endurance that doesn’t just survive, but thrives.
The strength that’s not restless, but rooted.
Are You Running With Him or Without Him?
You have the power to push forward, but are you pushing in the right direction?
You have the ability to endure, but are you enduring things God never asked you to carry?
You can keep going, but will you ever stop long enough to receive His peace?
Real strength isn’t found in how long you can last.
It’s found in who you’re running with.
"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)
You weren’t meant to be a tossing sea.
You were made to be an unshakable force—strong, steady, immovable in Him.
So pause.
Take a breath.
Surrender your strength to the One who is strength.
And run with Him. Every day.
What Does Today Say About God?
I remember the prophetic quote from Uncle Ben in Spider-Man:
"With great power comes great responsibility."
Uncle Ben was alluding to you and me. God has made us powerful, despite knowing we would fail Him.
To me, that says He is a God of endless grace.
That He is a good, good Father.
Thank You, Jesus.
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