Strength. How would you define it? Would you use the words power, courage, or muscle? If someone had all three, you’d probably consider them one strong individual – right?
But where do those things come from?
Power is usually perceived by how others see us. It can come from our popularity, our knowledge of a certain subject, or our position on the football team. But God would rather us get our power from Him. Acts 1:8 says: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…”
Our courage? It usually comes from our experiences and is drawn from our self-image. Standing up for ourselves, talking to girls, taking risks – they all depend on whether or not we think we’re up for the challenge. But God – He wants us to get our courage from Christ. 1 Corinthians 16:13 says: “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” When our faith is in the Lord, He gives us the courage we need for all things.
And muscle? Well, most of us would agree that they come from working out – lifting weights, exercising, etc. But what about our spiritual muscles? Through the apostle Paul, God said: “… be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Eph. 6:10). It’s the amount of experiences that build up spiritual muscles. Just like working out once doesn’t build muscle, it’s making a habit of working out spiritually – praying, reading the Bible, depending on God – that really leads to true strength.
Physical strength isn’t wrong, but there is more to strength than that. Real strength – true strength – comes from Christ living in us and through us. Think of Sampson who had incredible strength, yet it wasn’t until he drew his strength from God that he found the depths of that strength. Now, it’s our turn. I invite you to join me on the journey of finding true strength in Christ.
“The way of the Lord is strength for the upright…”
