When a crisis hits we want to be mentally and emotionally strong.
I received an email from my friend giving details about her neighbor who had cancer. The cancer had been misdiagnosed and now nothing could be done — the weight loss, commode and hospital bed arriving at her home across the road — was not what I wanted to read. I had my own concerns to deal with as I was being called back for a follow-up mammogram. My friend was anxious for her neighbor, but I was tense too.
I should know better. Faith in Jesus gives me a hope and a future, and spiritual strength. This should permeate my mental and emotional state. But, I’m still human and anxiousness is a reality.
So, how do we combat our fear?
We are to trust God with what is happening in our lives. This simple instruction is often hard to get into our heads and our hearts.
I’m sure like me, you want God’s supernatural strength to bear what you’re going through and to accept whatever lies ahead.
But, I’m learning that to be dependent on God and the strength he provides calls for humility. That’s a surprise isn’t it? My friend’s email made me think. So often I want to draw on God’s strength so I can be independent in facing struggles.
We’re told to give our anxiety onto God. But, we’re also told to be humble. (1 Peter 5:6-7)
Yet, we tell ourselves to be strong to get through what we’re facing. We wait until we’re robust enough to tell people what’s going on so we don’t fall apart. We build ourselves up to walk into the doctor’s office alone.
But, when we try and stand we’re not allowing God to carry us. Being carried, like we carry a small child, means having no ability of our own. It means being weak and vulnerable. Being powerless is not attractive or applauded in our society. But, God says when we are feeble we experience his strength powerfully.
If I want to use my own strength it should be in giving everything to God — my fears, worries, unsettling circumstances and my pride. Using my own strength or taking God’s strength to stand on my own two feet is pride.
Mental and emotional strength comes from letting go and letting God.
Prayer:
I come humbly before you God realizing
I have not trusted you with the circumstances of my life.
I have been asking for your supernatural strength
so I can stand on my own two feet.
Forgive me for my ignorance.
Of course, I want you to carry my weakness.
I want to know the sturdiness of your arms around me.
I want to sense your laboring breath
as you take the weight of my struggle.
Then I will know you more intimately
and I will receive your peace.
I receive power when I yield to you,
and that’s where the paradox begins.
I yield to you.
Help me start today to relax into you;
to let you pick me up and strengthen me
because you care for me and I can trust you.
Amen