“Our health may be failing, or our strength may be little, but we can “. . . be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:2) A few months ago, a dear friend of my heart completed one of the Tough Mudder races. As she recounted the experience, we couldn’t help but laugh. She said that each time she got to the top of a hill (which, come on…in Texas there aren’t supposed to be any of those!), she would find herself at the bottom of yet another one she had to climb. And even more, each time she thought the race was nearly over, she’d realize that…NOPE! Miles to go, still! I think it probably felt like she was stuck in a time-warp….with history continually repeating itself…finding herself exhausted, sore, and worn, but pushing on towards the finish line anyway. What a journey, right? Life, I mean. Sometimes you feel like you’re just starting to scale that mountain…about to reach the summit. You pull yourself over the edge of that cliff, just to look up to find the next daunting cliff-face. Or, on the other hand, you fall short on strength and find yourself feeling as though you’re back at the bottom of that very same valley you just struggled out of. But here’s what I’ve found: If I build my foundation in solid truth…no matter how hard I fall, or how weak I get…I will always fall back on that. The floor can’t be pulled from underneath me…I will never fall farther than that. So when you think you’ve rounded the corner, or beat that illness, or finally started to come out of whatever struggle you’re up against…know that you can keep pushing forward rather than being paralyzed by fear. Out of love, I was reminded that stressing over something won’t change the outcome. In my case, stress actually just wears down my body even more…so what good does that do?! “I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name.” (Revelation 3:8) Fiona Burrows (who deals with chronic health issues) noted that: “Many of us could identify with the feeling of having little strength–whether only sometimes, or always. I think sometimes it’s easier for those of us who have some chronic illness and who battle each day to keep going, to understand weakness–where others who are healthy, or healthier, may take their strength for granted.” But I believe that whether it’s health, finances, family issues, addiction, or any struggle we face…we all face something. So how do we acknowledge that we have “little strength,” but manage to turn the tables and not let our spirit be broken by a fall…how do we manage to still be “keeping (His) word and not denying (His) name”? I think it goes back to the idea that if my foundation is built solidly on Him…I can fall (and I can even fall REALLY HARD)…but I won’t ever fall too far. And as we’re promised He can and does use all things for good…I know He has the strength to see me through. Fiona continues: “It seemed to me that in light of our current struggles (whatever they might be for you)–they may leave us with “little strength” but we are still able to use our experiences to point others to God; encourage those in similar situations to keep trusting; or by example, lean harder on the One who gives us the strength to get through this.” I can react in fear or respond in prayer to whatever valley or mountain I find myself facing. Besides…faith can MOVE those mountains. I’ve realized that I get to decide. So I smile, knowing that (in the words of Shakespeare) “Though she be but little, she is fierce” (or actually, the One who is in me is…because He has overcome the world). (John 16:33) youtu.be/u1JBSQMkQEo
Posted on: Mon, 01 Jul 2013 12:18:15 +0000
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