My devotional today talked about being a woman of strength, resilience, and courage. It’s not the first time I had read Proverbs 31 but it is the first time I realized it was not a list of how I needed to be and if I couldn’t do all those things then I was not a good person. Today I was able to see that it was more about being a woman of strength, courage, and resilience. Finding the courage to keep moving forward in the midst of the storms of life. To be a woman of strength means that I can lean into Jesus and know he is always there to hold me up and I am truly not alone.
That as I allow myself time to heal from all the loss I had to deal with has provided me with strength and courage. You see I had always relied on my spouse to deal with many issues because that seemed easier to do. But now I have no spouse to pass it on to but I do have Jesus. What I have been learning has been very valuable, because it is teaching me that I need to ignore all those voices that told me I was nothing, I wouldn’t amount to anything and I have nothing good to offer anyone. I am learning that those are not voices of God. He does not speak negatively to his children. He speaks of love, courage, peace, joy, and acceptance. I guess I always knew that but never truly took it to heart. It was much easier to believe the other voice because I had grown up hearing those negative words all the time.
When it asked me what it means to be a woman of strength my mind went to Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” Because I know that these past 3 years it is his strength that has carried me through all the trials and battles that came my way. For she who waits on the Lord will not be crushed by the weight of adversity. (Our daily bread)
We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance. (Romans 3:3) Before you get all uppity thinking I mean you should be happy when tribulations come your way that is not at all what this scripture is saying. It is saying that we can be joyful knowing that our Lord is holding us through the trials and we are not facing them without his strength.
I also believe that being strong is knowing it’s ok to ask for help. That because one asks does not mean they are weak, but I am strong enough in my faith to know that Jesus is always a prayer away. My partnership with God means that I am never alone. I am always being protected and even if I can’t see him working in my life I can trust that he is, because I am a child of God and I believe in his promises.
A prayer for today: Jesus, thank you for being here with me always. I lift up to you all your children who are suffering from a poor spirit, fear, anxiety, loneliness, and feeling lost. I pray their spirits will seek and find you. May the peace of Jesus reign always in our hearts and may we never forget that you are in control, so we can let go and let God. Amen!
Courage comes in many different ways , personal courage , courage from others , our relatives , our friends , our Pastors , & other Godly people ! I know
That the Lord Jesus Christ offers us the best courage , when we pray & talk w
Him & Just ask him for help that is the best answer to give us courage that we can receive . ( just ask Jesus )
Blessings
Chaplain Joe
You are so right about courage, and I find myself learning from so many. Thank you for your feedback.
I enjoy your posts and I thank you for sharing them. You are brave to post about your loss and feelings. I write about my journey but, I usually don’t share unless it is in person. I too have found my courage in the Lord. I honestly do not know how anyone survives the loss of a spouse without God. The grief journey is painful, hard work and the timeline is different for everyone. We all experience trials in our life but, I do agree, we are stronger because of it. I am so grateful that the Lord has been with me every step of the way! I can see now that even at the accident He was with me. He loves me and will never leave me. And I am happy to say that my kids bring me great joy and I am enjoying life again. I will always love my husband and I miss him every day. And, I will see him again one day! I just know Paco and Tom are watching over us. Love you Renee!
Thank you, Christine, I think of you so often and wonder how you are doing. Glad to hear you are at least writing your journey I believe that helps us heal. The journey we are on is some days so painful that I wonder if it will ever not feel so difficult. But I am so thankful God has been with me on this journey I agree when you say I don’t know how anyone could deal with grief if they didn’t have Jesus in their hearts. I do believe I will see him one day and that he and Paco are watching over us. Love you and take care. Thank you for the beautiful comment.
Great blog! Our strength is in Him! So good I enjoy reading .