Strength is an important aspect of my life as well as other’s lives. The many perceptions of strength manifests itself in people’s lives such as the ability to pick up heavy things, protect and or defend loved ones, going above and beyond duty as well as performing a task or duty for God even though they don’t know the outcome of said task or duty. Keep in mind that I said, “perceptions of strength.” Why do I say this? Well, let’s first look at the definition of strength as per the Webster dictionary. Strength is as follows:
1) the quality or state of being strong
2) power to resist force
3) power of resisting attack
4) a : legal, logical, or moral force b : a strong attribute or inherent asset
5) degree of potency of effect or of concentration
6) force as measured in numbers
7) one regarded as embodying or affording force or firmness
8) maintenance of or a rising tendency in a price level
As can be seen the standard definition of strength has many facets. The standard definitions can be deceptive though, in the sense that strength is depicted as physical and mental attributes (inner/vanity) while neglecting spiritual aspects (outer/humility). This phenomenon of the “all about me” or “self help/improvement crowd” can easily be seen in our society.
It’s somewhat ironic that God says in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” God understands all the facets of strength in regards to the standard definitions and He wants us to improve, grow and succeed, but what people miss and what’s ironic is that He wants us to improve, grow, and succeed in serving Him and walking the narrow path.
Matthew 7:13-14 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
He doesn’t want us to improve, grow and succeed just for the sake of it. He wants us to take up the cross, die to ourselves/world and trustingly, unwaveringly follow Him for His glory not our own.
Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
So what exactly is strength? Is it the ability to pick up something heavy, to persevere at a task or is it trustingly following God? I would say it is all of the above. God knit us in the womb and gave us our strengths.
Psalm 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
In reality not using the strengths that God has given us is actually weakness where as following God is strength! Christ said in Matthew 17:20, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Now that is Strength, but keep in mind, it is not our strength but God’s strength that He gives us by our Faith in Him. In conclusion, strength has many attributes and facets and we must use them to bring God glory and in doing this one will truly understand strength.
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