Strengthened for a Purpose

being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. (Colossians 1:11-12)

The strength we receive isn’t random—it’s purposeful. Paul says we are strengthened with all power according to His glorious might—not our own—for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father. That kind of strength doesn’t come from sheer willpower. It comes from the Spirit of God (Zechariah 4:6).

But why do we need strength for endurance and patience? Because spiritual maturity is forged in the fire. Trials test the genuineness of our faith, and as James tells us, we’re to count it all joy when we face them. Why? Because we know what it’s producing and the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). When we zoom out and look at the bigger picture, we begin to see that what we’re enduring is producing something far more valuable: maturity, perseverance, faith.

And then comes the gratitude. Because all of this—the strength, the growth, the hope—is ours only because the Father has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light (John 12:46). Jesus came as light so we could walk in it. We ought to be thankful for this remarkable truth in our lives.

So even in trial, we rejoice. We give thanks. We endure with joy, because we’ve been strengthened by His power and qualified by His grace. That’s reason enough to lift our heads and keep going.