“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27 NIV
Are You Strong or Defeated?
Are you feeling strong today? Strength can be synonymous with determination, steadfastness, and power. On the average day, you may not wake up feeling powerful, determined, and ready to go…but you should! If you are a Christian, you have the power of the risen God living inside of you. Now that’s powerful!
Too many of us wake up and go through the day feeling defeated. We don’t realize that we are more than capable to tackle the things we need to deal with during the day. God is with us and we never have to be alone. The truly glorious thing is that we don’t even have to rely on our own strength. Perhaps to love God with all our strength really just means that we have to love and trust God enough to turn everything over to Him. We just have to be strong enough to surrender. It takes strength to admit we are not enough.
Need an Example?
Today didn’t start out so great. My kids were not cooperating with all of my wonderful ideas. I could have lost my cool (like I do way too often), but instead I decided to take a deep breath and change directions. I had to surrender my To Do list and make a new one, focussing on the things that God was showing me were most important. My day didn’t go as I had originally planned–it went even better.
Need Another Example?
I am trying really hard to get fit and failing miserably. The Trim Healthy Mama Book Brigade is holding me accountable, but not as much as I need. When I rely on my own strength, you can find me on the phone asking my husband to bring home some ice cream! Today I have finally had a day completely on plan. What you don’t know is just how many times, I have had to take a deep breath and say a prayer for strength. That last ice cream sandwich in the freezer keeps calling my name. I am not strong, but I am crying out to God for help because I know my body needs to reboot if I am going to have the energy and healthy I need to serve him. He is strong for me. He places a desire in my heart to follow Him and do what I know He is calling me to do–get in shape!
God is the only one who is truly strong enough to handle it all. That’s really great news for me because it takes a load off! Click To TweetIt’s a Minute by Minute Decision
I have to wake up every day and decide if I am going to rely on my own strength or if I am going to keep turning my junk over to God. Am I going to cling tightly to my way and try to do everything, or am I going to take a deep breath and realize that I can’t do it all? God is the only one who is truly strong enough to handle it all. That’s really great news for me because it takes a load off!
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in Him, and He will act,
6 making your righteousness shine like the dawn,
your justice like the noonday.” Psalm 37:5-6 HCSB
What Does This Mean for Your Family?
When you let go of your own perfectionist tendencies, it takes the pressure off your children. If you model crying out to God with all your strength, they will learn to rely on the strength of God too.
In what area do you have the most trouble relying on God’s strength?
photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/40061727@N06/3967019194″>I like this one.</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/”>(license)</a>
Krystal Miller (@hhtfamilyblog) says
Such a great post. I needed that today. My day has definitely not been going as planned and I need to turn it around for the better!
admin says
I hope your day got turned around!
Deanna says
This is such a great reminder to take a step back and trust God. In moments of weakness or frustration we often forget to breathe and trust.
andrea says
God wants us – ALL of us. And He wants us to turn everything over to Him…
andrea recently posted…Comment on My Favorite Worship Song Is…. by MyTeenGuide
Danielle says
I think the area that I have the most trouble relying on God is in the area of finances! But thankfully I know He will give us guidance and wisdom to deal!
Danielle recently posted…Children are a Blessing & Not Inconveniencing: 5 ways to PERK UP!
Elizabeth O. says
I think it’s great to draw strength from God so you can do things in a more positive way. Thanks for that reminder! How very motivating!
Terri Beavers says
I was feeling defeated yesterday but today I’m feeling strong. It’s amazing how that can change in a blink of an eye. What a great scripture reference.
Terri Beavers recently posted…DIY cleaning recipes for unpleasant odors
MyTeenGuide says
I never doubted Him. He never fails to give me answers.
MyTeenGuide recently posted…What to do with Your Leftover Valentine’s Day Flowers
Inez says
I love that you say it is a minute by minute decision. This is SO true and I have to remind myself that just because I failed to rely on God’s strength one minute doesn’t mean I have to fail in the next. Thanks for this encouraging post!
Inez recently posted…How to Introduce Your Baby to Solids
Anna Harris says
This is so good. I have many days where I don’t rely on Gods strength when I should. It’s so hard sometimes but it’s so beneficial when I just turn it over to him. I’ve been doing this more lately regarding my job and He is just getting me through day by day. Thanks for the reminder that I cannot do it on my own.
Anna Harris recently posted…Fighting Fear and Dreaming Again
Ally J Brown says
I needed to read this as my life has not gone according to plan at all. I had all these plans, than ended up with chronic health problems. But I have more than I ever could dream off! Yes God’s plan is so much better and He carries our plans well, better than we do! I am so blessed that He took over my life and showed me a better way to live and praise Him.
#againstallhope
Ally J Brown recently posted…Faces of Mercy 2016 – Interview with founder and creator Tami Kiser