Is this why you feel drained?

I write this morning to a Christ follower who feels weak—or knows they’ll need God’s strength for what’s ahead. Maybe you’ve been leaning more on your own energy than on His.

The truth? Real strength is never self‑made. It flows from the presence of God.

Samson learned this the hard way. Chosen by God as a Nazarite, he was given incredible strength to lead Israel. But instead of using it for God’s purpose, he used it for himself. His heart drifted toward Delilah, and compromise weakened what calling had once empowered.

When his hair was cut—the symbol of his covenant—the Lord’s empowering presence left him. Self‑reliance left him blind and bound.

For Christ Followers, the Spirit who lives within us will never leave (Ephesians 1:13-14), but we can resist His influence. God’s power doesn’t fade. But when we stop listening and start doing life our own way, we stop walking in it.

Each day, our decisions either invite His strength or drown it in our noise and pride.

So what can we learn from Samson’s fall?

* Don’t grow attached to anything that pulls your heart from God.

* Don’t linger in temptation just because you survived it before.

* Don’t hide in lies; live open before God, where grace restores and strengthens.

I need more of the Lord’s strength—and maybe you do too.

So here’s the question for today: What will I surrender, avoid, or pursue so that God’s strength—not mine—guides every step ahead?