Thursday 12 June 2014

Stand Strong

Today, we keep telling each other to "stand strong", to "not give up", to "find strength" in our life. Do we really know what that means? How do we stay strong when we are overwhelmed with life?

In the Bible, strength is a theme that appears regularly. 2 Corinthians 12: 10 tells that through hard times, insults, weaknesses, suffering and all kinds of troubles we can still be happy. We can be happy through our strength. This verse also tells us that when we are weak, we are truly strong. This means that every time and every day, we get up after having people beat us down, we are showing our strength and our ability to see the happiness during the hard times. God's power in our life gives us the strength to walk and work through whatever issues we are facing. Happiness shows our strength which helps us to focus on God's power in our life.

Psalm 18: 1 teaches us that God is our rock when times are tough. We don't need an earthly person to lean on when we feel weak and defeated. We have God to lean on and He is always there, non-judging and loving unconditionally. We don't need to make an appointment to speak to Him when we need a boost of strength. We can approach Him and talk to Him any time, any where, no matter what's going on. He is always listening and watching.

So, how do we keep staying strong when we know life is making us weak? By focusing on God and He keeps us strong and all His asks in return is for us to love Him with all our hearts, all our souls and all our strength (Deuteronomy 6: 5). Sometimes to me, this seems like a daunting goal to achieve. It makes my issues seem easier to deal with than trying to do this but it is a lot easier than it sounds. All God is asking us is to make Him the center of our universe. He wants us to always acknowledge Him, stay in a personal relationship with Him and listen to Him and in return, He will hold our hand and walk the path He has set out for us, even if we don't always understand. God grows our strength through our love for Him.

We can see God's gift of strength all around us. Strength is when a child walks miles to school because he wants to learn. Strength is when an aged tree withstands the storm. Strength is when an abused women won't give up in leaving her abuser and making life better. Strength is when a blossoming flower won't whither when a breeze blows. Strength is as simple as asking for help when we are ashamed of our circumstances. Strength is our ability to face our trials and issues head on, holding God's hand knowing He is teaching us, guiding us and leading us to the life He promised.

Finally, strength is not when we achieved the goals we have set for ourselves, it is the journey we endured to get there.

......STAND STRONG..........
Galations 5: 1


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