Strength Has Nothing To Do With It

I’ve heard the statement, “ I never would have guessed that you were going through that because you seem so strong.” Now it wasn’t the fact that they decided instead of being strong I was rather in fact weak. Instead it was the why question. Why did they suddenly change their mind on my strength? Because I was going through something….. hmmm…

In my case I was struggling not only with issues but also the fact that I had no support system. Other than a long distance friend and my mother I had no one to go to and say, “Hey, look honestly I’m totally confused. I love kids but for weeks I have hated working at the day care. This is my future and I hate it.” or how about “So this guy is totally awesome and I know its not time for me to date, but seriously I want a boyfriend!” Now let’s be honest for a few minutes here. This is not just me. I’m not afraid to say I struggle with things. Shoot I struggle with tons of things from the things I mentioned above to everything in the book. I am tempted. I am not perfect. I get discouraged. But so do you….

Deny it all you want. Cover it if you think that will help but the reality of it is if you say that you don’t, you ARE wearing a mask.  Does determine your strength? Does that determine who you think you are in Christ? Does that mean you don’t have faith in God? Many may say yes….

I say no…. Why? Well my bible says that regardless of who I am, trials and temptations WILL (not might) come my way. My bible also tells me that Jesus, the very son of God, was tempted and struggled with things. Does that make Jesus weak? Does that mean Jesus doesn’t know who he is or doesn’t have faith in the Father? See how absurd that mentality is.

Let’s look at Moses, shall we. I would say Moses was a pretty strong dude. I mean he only led the entire body of Israelites for what seemed to be forever and what not.  In one battle Moses had to keep his arms raised for the victory right? But Moses grew tired. Yea he got tired.. he began to struggle.. he needed support.. Was he not as strong as everyone thought? No. He was simply being exhausted. It happens. So Aaron and Hur held his arms for him. They were his support. When things begin to weigh on him, someone had to help him out. 

So strength has nothing to do with it. Knowing who we are in Christ is not the issue. I AM a STRONG woman of God! I know that God has a plan and that he is faithful. That doesn’t mean I don’t get tired holding my arms up for the victory. That doesn’t mean I don’t need support. It doesn’t mean I don’t need people who I can go to and release what I’m going through, how I feel, and what’s running through my head. I NEED those people! You NEED those people!

That is what the body of Christ is for. That’s our duty as brothers and sisters in Christ. That’s our duty as decent human beings. God didn’t mean for us to walk around pretending we are “strong enough” to go through life without other people … without being there for one another ... without support.