Gotta Be Strong

Gotta Be Strong 

Be strong. Be strong for the weak, for your family, and because too many have lost their way. Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God goes before you.  He goes with you. He is the living God who fights for you, loved you even when you did not love yourself, and called you. 

Be strong and stand firm so you are not fazed by every wind of life. Do not let every little thing play on your emotions. It's not about what you see, but what you believe. Wait patiently, for those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar like eagles and see victory in the end. 

Your strength is not displayed by education or accomplishments, but by your character in moments of vulnerability. You show strength when you cry but refuse to retaliate, when you are fed up but do not give up, when you are humiliated but turn the other cheek. It is not the way of the world, but your meekness is reminiscent of Moses, of the Christ.   

Your strength is not in the children you did not have, but in those you raised to be your image in the world.  It is not in how you negotiate with men, but in how you bear them. You understand it is the small things that take down the giants.  You show strength when you restrain your power, knowing the damage it could do. You need not explain yourself; you are fighting for the winning camp.    

Your strength is in what God requires: to be humble, just, and merciful. This could mean forgiving those who offended you, not just by crossing your boundaries, but trespassing willingly.  You may need to rid yourself of your anger against those who carelessly wasted your time, cruelly criticized you, or intentionally spoke evil against you.  If David could ignore the spear Saul threw to pin him to the wall and if Jesus forgave knowing that spear was about to pierce His side, then there is a certain grace you may ask God to give you to endure the thorn in your flesh.   

Your strength is in following God’s command regardless of your opinion and defend the helpless and stand in the gap for the prayerless.  His commands are not up for debate, so you might as well stop complaining about your political views and start demanding justice for the voiceless and harbor the foreigner who needs rescue. For Jesus once had to cross the border to escape from tyranny and child genocide.   

Strength is when your power shines over your weakness and your submission is your state of authority.   It is in display when we prove we can overcome the atrocities of this world, our own faults, and the evil that stands against us. We are strong for others, for those who cannot understand commitment or take a step of faith.  As for me, my strength is only in my consecration to give God the glory due Him and to spread His aroma all over the world.   

Let it be so!