STRENGTH

By Mieka Peebles

Two quotes that stood out to me earlier this month:

“Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles, it empties today of its strength.” ~ Corrie Ten Boom

Surely all of us worry about things at some point in time.  And depending on how serious the situation (or problem) is, the more we worry and the harder it is to trust and have faith that everything will be okay.  But worrying doesn’t do anything for us.  It’s not going to change the situation we’re in.  Things are not going to get better overnight, just because you’re pondering on it throughout the night.  This is where strength comes in.  You can build on your strength and rely on it.  Of course, life isn’t easy; however, with strength, we are able and willing to take necessary, positive actions.  If your day is spent worrying about the problems or situations, you’re not doing anything but robbing the day of its potential strength.  In strength, we grow.

“You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.”
~ Bob Marley

In strength, we grow.  All of us are put in situations we don’t want to experience, nor gain the problems we have.  Sometimes, the only thing we have left to rely on is our strength: strength in peace, strength in God.  In our lowest moments, when we feel we have nothing else, that’s our opportunity to grow (as a person).  You learn how strong you are and what you can handle.  You will either allow things to make or break you.

If you’re going through something today, maybe there’s a problem you’ve been battling this week, find your strength.  Use this opportunity to grow and become stronger.  Find positive actions to take (whether towards eliminating the problem, for yourself, or someone else).  Sometimes, there is nothing we can do in certain situations, but even in those moments, you can grow closer to God and learn to be at peace with where things are, so that you are not leaning on worry.  You can do activities that will make you happy or get you closer to your vision (i.e. exercise, write, pray, or donate your time to helping the community).  In strength, we grow.