Strength
We need strength to sustain, survive and overcome the many trials that we’ll face in this life. For some this need starts very early, where those young survivors will carry the emotional wear and sometimes physical scars of their encounters. For those who were blessed with comfortable childhoods, the trials will still come, they do for everyone. When we search or pray for strength, we are seeking more of the emotional, convictional and spiritual strengths, than physical strength. Physical strength does little to counteract the draining human trials which wear so heavily on us. Many seek support from families and friends, but everyone wrestles their own challenges and nearly all offer less than we might need to get us through the most difficult times. There is only one source, which offers and affords the dedicated, inexhaustible strength we seek. This source, who happens to delight in the sharing of His strength, is God.
Emotional strength, like it’s physical counterpart, doesn’t develop overnight. It’s a cumulative process of work, conditioning and fine tuning. Waiting until we actually need strength to seek it, rarely prepares anyone adequately for what’s coming. In good times, having a surplus reservoir of emergency strength seems silly, but is it? 1 Corinthians 1:25, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength“. We’ll save some money for the difficult times, or replace a roof before it leaks, so why not bank God’s strength and wisdom? Regardless of how much strength or power we might already wield, we should know that someday it won’t be enough. Luke 7:6-9, tells us of one centurion’s understanding of the power of God, and the man’s willingness to admit to it and humble himself before Him. Knowing that God’s strength endures, while ours fizzles is a neon invitation to seek assistance, whether we name it faith or not. The combined power of faith and prayer, reflect our trust in God’s strength over our own. I believe that God’s will is even more tied to ours, than that of any other father to his child’s, Romans 8:26, “In the same way the Spirit helps us with our weakness …“. If with our meager allotment of wisdom, we see selfless, goodness and dependence in our children, will we not go to any length to serve and support that nature? God similarly watches out for us and we in turn, must learn to watch out for others, especially those who have yet to find Him. God’s strength, when sought for the benefit of others, serves all interests beneficially.
JC Calkins with COMMON SENSE 4 UNCOMMON PEOPLE
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