Tag Archive | strength

Word of the Year

Feb3
Reading Time: 2 minutes

A few years ago on KLOVE radio I heard about the concept of having a “word” for the year in place of resolutions. I don’t like resolutions anyway. F0r the past few years I’ve been doing this. Previous words have been: courage and shine.

I prayed and journalled and tried to figure out what word God would  give me for this year. Finally, I had it.

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Image by Tom Otte Photography, Fond du lac, WI

Dignity.

Proverbs 31;25 says. “She is clothed in strength and dignity and laughs at the days to come.” 

I want to be that woman. I think I have, over the years, given away my honor and dignity as criticism, opposition and attacks have come at me from all directions. It’s hard to stand in confidence in who God has created me to be when so many people around have tried to shout down those truths with their own version of reality.

A reality that is really a lie.

I must be really important for people spend so much energy criticizing me. But being created in the image of God is a terrifyingly beautiful thing. When someone attacks me and tries to tear me down for my personality, or my gifts or even my appearance, they are really attacking the Lord of the Universe, Jesus, who created me in HIS image.

I’m far from being as much like Him as I long to be, but I’m growing. And I’m trying to scrape off the dirt that has buried parts of me and slowed me down in my journey to do all He has called me to do.

I’m still scared of some of these things, but if I weren’t I wouldn’t need God to walk me through.

More attacks will come from people who don’t know me. They already have.

I think a large part of walking in dignity is not only realizing my value as a child of God, but also recognizing that in others as well. I’ll admit my own thoughts are not always as edifying as I would like them to be and I am at battle within to stifle those internalized attacks so as to level them at others. Usualy this is a battle no one, other than God, really knows about. But they are stains on my own dignity when I hold on to them.

I’m going to stumble and fall and I expect to be challenged repeatedly by the Holy Spirit through this year which will be a turning point in my writing and one I have labored and prayed for.

Do you choose a word for the year? If you have, what is it? Please share in the comments below!

I’m a Wimp

Oct7
Reading Time: 2 minutes

I finished reading Nancy Leigh DeMoss’s book on “Gratitude” and it has me thinking: I’m such a whiner.

I’ve asked people if I come across as a complainer and many will say “No.” But I do know that in my heart of hearts that I am.  Before God, I whine and whimper and buck against minor inconveniences of life.

My head aches. Oh, poor baby!  My neck is sore.  Let me play a little violin dirge for you! I could go on and on with complaints. I’m sooooo tired.  Really? Like you’re the only one to struggle with that?   Physical. Relational. Even spiritual.  When is God going to do a miracle for you? Ever?  Yeah, I’m pretty pathetic. I’m a wimp.

It’s hard to be cheerful about difficult circumstances that never change. A new friend today in Bible Study found out that we have mold in our home and that it makes me sick if I vacuum.  This is not a complaint. It’s simply a fact that I’ve lived with for 8 years. She said, “Why don’t you move?”  Well. . . husband ain’t willing and there are many obstacles! I’ve been waiting for a move for – oh, let’s say, since the day we moved in 8 years ago?!  Trust me – I want to move!   Will a new home correct the other problems in my family and life?  No. It will distract me for awhile – but in long run, the problems would just move with me (except for maybe the mold).

Paul says that he had learned the secret to being content in whatever circumstances he was in – whether rich or poor.  And it’s true, I have realized, that when I often get what I want, I’m not satisfied but looking for the next thing that I’m miserable without.  That’s a pretty serious flaw.

Here’s what Paul writes:

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. (Php 4:11-14)

How do we endure? By finding our strength in Christ. Sometimes I think that without the pain and struggles in my life, I would have wandered far from God, and failed to grow in my relationship and dependence on Him. Whatever He asks me to endure today, He will give me the strength to face. I just need to trust in Him.  Sometimes that can be hard to do.  Just being honest here!

I love the last line of Paul’s here: “. . . it was kind of you to share in my trouble.”  I have to admit, without people to share the burdens of life – I don’t know if I could keep on, keeping on, as well as I have.

Again – we are back to gratitude. Gratitude to God for His strength and support through the minor and major challenges of life, and gratitude for the people He has brought in my life to walk through those darker times with me and rejoice in the blessings.  It’s okay to be a wimp when I turn to God in those times instead of staying there moaning and groaning. We are never meant to carry our troubles alone! In that essence, being a wimp is a really good thing.