Stronger

In a moment in which I was responding emotionally (and badly, I might add!), a friend said to me, "Hey, you're stronger than that!"  I've written before about struggles and strength, but for some reason that statement smacked into me and stuck.  I have a cancer survivor shirt that says, "I'm stronger than you think I am", but it should probably say, "I'm stronger than I think I am"!  I don't see myself as strong...physically, spiritually, emotionally, or intellectually.  I often see myself as struggling to overcome, but never quite succeeding.  It's time for my self image to change!

At this moment in time, I feel weak, but if I look back in time just a few months, I am quickly reminded that I am much stronger now than I was then.  Stronger is a process that requires struggle.  Life, it seems, is a series of uphill struggles.  Some are ginormous and seem unconquerable, but some are small, and yet I look at them as mountains.  I forget that "all things are possible with God"!  (Mark 10:27)  And then, I forget to stop and enjoy the view and celebrate the breakthrough when I reach the top before I head down to the next valley.

We all have struggles and we all have weaknesses.  When we acknowledge our weaknesses, God can be strong!  The Apostle Paul said, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength!"  (Philippians 4:13)  We will always need God, but we are getting stronger every day, one step at a time, one battle at a time, one victory at a time.  Our bodies, our faith, our emotions, and our minds can get stronger with exercise, but exercise is of little value without challenge and struggle.  In the struggle, muscle, faith, gratitude, and the ability to take our thoughts captive become stronger.  I am grateful for the struggles and grateful for the breakthroughs!  I am stronger than that!