Strength
This week has been a week where many of us needed extra strength to carry us through.
Too many times in my life, I have tried to build my own strength. Not the physical type, but emotional strength. The kind of strength that helps get you through tough times, such as stress, sadness, anger, shame, self-doubt, or loneliness.
The interesting thing about strength is that it does not innately appear in us. It’s not like a natural talent that we are born with, or our parents pass along to us. Strength does not follow genetic lines. Strength is an outcome. It is a result. We truly can build up (emotional) strength. But not on our own.
As so many people have needed strength, need it now, and will need it, I reflected on strength itself:
Strength is a result of persevering in faith, obedience, and trust. Strength is not man-made. Christ works within us to build us up in faith, obedience, and trust. Faith in things unseen. Obedience to the will of God. Trust in His endless mercy.
When we are weak (and those times will come), we need others to help us persevere in faith, obedience, and trust. We can be strong through others. When we are weak, we can open ourselves up to God and others working in our life. By humbling ourselves, we recognize that we don’t always have to carry the load.
Strength has come to me recently through others. When Laura appeared in my office at a time when I needed to share what was on my heart. When Sarah came to my rescue this week and pointed me in the right direction. When coworkers seem to always bring humor when I need it. And of course, walking down the hallway to sit with God in the chapel.
Strength is an outcome. It is a result of persevering in faith, obedience, and trust. Strength has a Source. It’s not you on your own. It’s not me on my own. But the Holy Spirit can act through us, so that we can be with each other and for each other.
If you have strength today, there is likely someone who needs you and the strength within you. Share your strength. If you need strength today, remind yourself that The Lord is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34). Turn to Him for strength. Lean on others. Strength is an outcome.
But we are promised that one day, in heaven, God will wipe every tear from our eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more (Revelation 21:4).
