What it means to be strong

I've always tried to be strong in one way or another--always trying to be a hero. But life has thus far taught me about how weak I really am. It's so much easier to talk about strength when things are going well, and when my emotions are into it. When I feel joy from the Lord, it's easy to see how I would always want to keep on pressing on after God.

Lately though, when I was pretty bummed, my emotions were pretty much suffocating me. I reminded myself that I needed to be strong, that I really did want to keep on following God and serving God even if I didn't feel like I did at the time. And so I prayed a lot for joy and peace from God to keep motivating me onwards, but it didn't feel like I was getting any--my emotions were still haywire and all. Though I reminded myself that I needed to be strong and continue onwards, it was so hard because I didn't see any reason why.

When I prayed for strength though, God really answered that prayer. I didn't think I had the strength to do stuff, but God filled me with strength that I didn't have. It's nothing new in terms of ideas, but really learning what it means for God to be the strength of my heart--that's a big blessing.

1 John 2

14...I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

Psalm 70:5

But I am needy and afflicted

Hasten to me, O God

You are my help and my deliverer

O Lord, do not delay!