Strength

 

Strength can look different from person to person. Sometimes it takes all of our energy to even be able to get out of bed. Life is not turning out how we expected, either by choices we have made or by another's actions that we cannot control. We feel like staying in bed and hiding from the things happening around us, but we know we have responsibilities, so we force ourselves to get up and get things done. Maybe we stick to ourselves for a little while because we have nothing left to give to anyone else. In other circumstances, it takes all of our energy to stop doing something we've been doing for years. My running friend, "J", has been dealing with an injury. She found herself having to reduce her mileage from at least six a day down to one mile, just a week before an upcoming, previously scheduled surgery that would most likely end her six and a half year running streak. She was hoping to be able to enjoy that week of running before she had to decide what was best for her body. She ran the morning before surgery, stayed in the hospital overnight and debated the next day until late evening as to whether she should continue to streak or not. After wisely, in my opinion, listening to her body and deciding what was best, she decided to retire her streak. I know for her this took more mental strength than actually going out and completing a mile run. 

If we try to find strength within ourselves, we will always fall short. I really don't know how someone that doesn't believe in God manages to get through life. What is their purpose for going through each day? What is the point of pushing through the hard times? It is my belief that until we come to a point in life where God is all we need; we will have a sense of something lacking. Psalms 73:26 (CSB) says, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." If we truly let this guide our life, there is nothing we need outside of the presence of God. I am blessed with a loving, protective marriage but I know that if anything happens to my husband that takes him away from me here on earth, I will never be alone. God tells us in Deuteronomy 31:6 (CSB) to "Be strong and courageous, don't be terrified or afraid of them. For the Lord your God is the one who will go with you; he will not leave you or abandon you." I know that the feelings of loneliness and sadness will feel overwhelming some days, but it is my prayer that I will choose to lean into God, the only One who will never leave or abandon me and allow Him to fill the empty spaces. 

If you are feeling weak and defeated, I encourage you to give yourself grace. Don't look at someone else as an example of how you should get through what you are going through. Instead, lean into God, our source of all strength. Ask Him what your next step should be and take it. In faith, believe that the days will get better eventually. No one can fill the emptiness except the very Creator of your being. He made you to need Him.