Strength 2026
Strength in a Troubled World
Sunday, January 11, 2026
The world is constantly changing—just look at the news. There are so many things that can cause worry, fear, stress, or anxiety.
We are in this world—we live in it, work in it, eat, sleep, and breathe in it. Things are going to happen. What matters is how we respond to outside influences like the news, life’s circumstances, and unexpected situations.
Discussion Point #1: What does God say about us living in the world but not belonging to it?
John 15:18-19 (AMP) 18"If the world hates you [and it does], know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19If you belonged to the world, the world would love [you as] its own and would treat you with affection. But you are not of the world [you no longer belong to it], but I have chosen you out of the world. And because of this the world hates you."
John 17:15-16 (AMP) 15"I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but that You keep them and protect them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world."
These are red-letter words—spoken by Jesus Himself and Jesus is not a man that He would lie. He acknowledges that we are not of this world, but He doesn’t ask for our removal. He asks for our protection. He warned us that because of that fact we are not of the world, the world will hate us. They hated Him first and will hate us in turn. The Jesus in us will aggravate the demons in them. He warned us that things will happen. But don’t lose heart! With Him, we’ll have the strength to get through it!
Discussion Point #2: When things happen to us or to those we love, what is our first response—anger, fear, resentment, unforgiveness? What should our response?
John 16:33 (AMP) 33“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]
Because Jesus overcame the world—and we are in Him—we are not defeated.
Romans 8:37 (AMP) 37Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us].
Discussion Point #3: What do you do when there are areas in your life where you are overwhelmed and need victory?
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Psalm 27:1 (KJV) 1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
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Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) 10Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand
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Jeremiah 33:2-3 (AMP) 2Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it—the Lord is His name, 3Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.
Prayer:
God, we come to You tonight, Lord, as Your children. You have known us since we were in our mother’s womb and love us with no conditions. You see every situation, every circumstance, every problem, fear, and issue. So tonight, Father God, we ask that You would move on our behalf to change what needs to be changed, even if it means us, Father God. For in You, we have the victory in our situation, and we are more than conquerors. We thank You, Lord, we have strength to do what needs to be done, wisdom for the situation, and the faith to see it through, in Jesus’ name. AMEN.