Webster’s Definition of Cower:: to shrink away or crouch, especially for shelter from something that menaces, domineers, or dismays.
Circumstances such as death, financial troubles, sickness, relationship problems, violence/crime, etc can be so unbearable until you crouch in a fetal position. We need the power of God to get us through. We can not make it without it; we can’t sleep, move, or breathe. If there is any sin in your life, it can block the power of God from flowing through. So repent and get back on the right track. If you are withholding the truth, confess it! Proverbs 28:13 Easy Read Version: 13 Whoever hides their sins will not be successful, but whoever confesses their sins and stops doing wrong will receive mercy. I knew God was speaking to my mother when she said to me boldly, “The truth sets you free.” There is no other way to freedom but to be honest with yourself, God, and others.
The devil uses fear to keep us from moving forward . 2 Timothy 1:7 says God did not give us the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind (the mind of Christ). It took the power of God for Job to trust God after all of his children died in one day, his health failed, and his wife told him to curse God and die because of what they were going through. Job had a relationship and trust in God that he said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust Him.” Hallelujah! He did not cower down but relied on God’s power and strength to get him through. The Shunamite woman put her faith in God (2 Kings 4). Her son died, but she did not cower; she plugged into the power source through prophet Elisha. She knew God worked through him. Whenever people asked her how she was doing, she kept saying, “All is well”, even though she did not feel like it. She confided in someone who God truly worked through. We can not confide in everyone about our situation. She needed a person of faith, not someone who would be in their emotions. People can mean well and say the wrong thing, weakening our faith. The Shunamite women experienced the power of God, who used Elisha to bring her son back to life. Read the blog When Going Through Hell, Say All Is Well.
It is easy to shrink back when things in our lives are dark or do not turn out as we hoped. God’s ways are higher than ours, and thoughts are higher than our thoughts. Marilyn Hickey, an evangelist, said, “You don’t want to backslide you want to in -slide into God,” when you are going through affliction (pain and suffering). Summarizing the scripture: James 15-16 says anyone among you afflicted, pray that the righteous’ prayers have power and are effective. We have to pray during times of suffering and get people of faith in Jesus to pray for us because the power of God shows up. Read and listen to the word of God; the word is God, and we will experience the joy of the Lord that will give us the strength to make it through. If you need someone to carry you through, get some friends or people with crazy faith like the man who couldn’t walk and his friends tore the roof open to get to Jesus in Mark 2:1-12. He received his healing. There is strength in numbers and unity to put the devil on the run. God moves by faith and does not take pleasure when we give up. Proverbs 24:10: If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small. Hebrews 10:38: “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”
Do Not Cower! You Need God’s Power!
Prayer: God, thank you for being a very present help in trouble. I repent for allowing circumstances to shrink me down and cause me to give up. I trust you, no matter how dark it gets. I run to you, God, for you are my only hope. All is well because I am not alone. After all, you are with me. Like David said, even if I make my bed in hell, you are present. Thank you for placing people of God in my life to uplift me and hold me up when I don’t have the strength because there is strength in numbers. Thanks be to God, who always causes me to triumph through Him. The joy of the Lord is my strength. In Jesus’ name! Amen!