Strength (noun) - the quality or state of being physically strong; the capacity to withstand great force or pressure; the emotional or mental qualities necessary in dealing with situations or events that are distressing or difficult.
I don't know about you, but I want to be strong. I want to be physically strong and push my body to do things that seem too hard to do. I want to be emotionally strong and able to handle challenges in a healthy way. I want to be mentally strong and able to learn and retain information easily. I want to be spiritually strong by being so firmly rooted in Christ that I am not consumed with doubts or worries when hard things come my way.
The problem is that so often I want to do it on my own. And unfortunately my strength is limited and really not very strong at all. My strength wavers easily and falls back into weakness and old habits and old ways of thinking on a regular basis. Which is why the above verse struck me when I read it recently. It doesn't say, "Be strong in yourself and in the strength of your might." No, instead it reminds us of where true and lasting and incredible strength comes from - the Lord.
So, why do I forget this and try to live out of my own strength all. the. time. Because I am prone to a mindset that focuses on depending on myself, trying harder, digging deeper, etc. And within weeks or days or sometimes minutes I am right back at the end of my strength and the cycle continues. But, what if I realized that when I come to the end of myself that is where I need to be reminded that in Christ I have access to strength and might and power that far surpass what I am capable of on my own.
If you are familiar with Ephesians 6:10, you know it is the beginning of a passage about putting on the full armor of God. I have spent some time in this passage over the past few weeks and would love to share more of what I'm learning in future posts, but in the meantime I encourage you to go read through Ephesians 6:10 - 20.
So, what about you? Where do you look for strength? How's that workin' for ya?
