The last few months have been extremely trying for me. Dealing with my health issues, breaking away 'still' from a dysfunctional relationship, my mum's health issues, and my continued journey progress of healing in some painful areas. I feel so very weak body, mind and spirit.
Today's devotional by Sarah Young could not be more appropriate.
I am sure a lot of you out there can relate as well:
Grow strong in your weakness. Some of My children I've gifted with abundant strength and stamina. Others, like you, have received the humble gift of frailty. Your fragility is not a punishment, nor does it indicate lack of faith. On the contrary, weak ones like you must live by faith, depending on Me to get you through the day. I am developing your ability to trust Me, to lean on Me, rather than on your understanding. Your natural preference is to plan out your day, knowing what Will happen when. My preference is for you to depend on Me continually, trusting Me to guide you and strengthen you as needed. This is how you grow strong in your weakness. - Sarah Young
Even though I appear strong on the outside, I am very fragile on the inside. Right now it is hard to go on. I am just so tired.
But....
Depending on the Lord for my needs and answers is hard many times. I still find myself bypassing the most important connection.... Him. But instead, taking a detour to my own thinking and solutions. I certainly understand that He is developing my trust in Him. Because most my life I did not. Many times I can go overboard with being analytical. Even that has slowed down a bit. Mainly because I am coming to the place "that I cannot do this on my own." As stated before, I am just too tired now. So, I need to heed to what the author states above, "to depend on Him continually, trusting Him to guide me and strengthen me as needed."
I cannot do this on my own.
It sums it up for me: "God's power is demonstrated through our weaknesses!" Glory be to God!
ReplyDeleteThinking of you in prayers. May the Lord sustain you with all of your needs. May His healing be upon you and your mother. Blessings to you JBR! Be strong in the Lord's mighty power!
JBR hang in there. I see through your weakness the growth of your journey. You're right where you're supposed to be. Trust him and do not fight what he's very capable of doing. God Bless.
ReplyDeleteI relate! My faith is'nt as strong as yours but what Sarah Young says here makes sense. This is a encouragement. Something I need today. thank you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. It is so tough to stay connected sometimes, to lean on Him. This is one of the benefits I get from difficult times; it reminds me that I need Him. That I am not enough on my own. And that I am not meant to be. Thank you for this reminder. I needed it today.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for stopping by my blog.
JBR,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful devotional! One I can well relate to! Fragility is a gift - I have found this to be true in my own case too. God is quick to "pick up" his fragile ones and also to flood them with graces. We depend on him. One of my favorite Scripture verses is, "My strength is made perfect in weakness." So we give him our weakness, every bit of it, and He can do amazing things for us and through us. God bless you, my friend :)
Hi JBR,
ReplyDeleteI love this devotional. God has to break us all down so we can rely on Him, otherwise we become to strong in self and we can never accept Him. I know of some people that are so very strong in self that they cannot grasp the idea of God. When we are weak then He is strong. That is something to be happy in. :)
Praying girl,
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None of us can do it on our own. I don't have Sarah Young's book so I appreciate the share! Amazing how we can look strong to others; it's Jesus' strength they see!
ReplyDeleteI love this, thanks for it...I will print it out and read it frequently. What came to mind as I was reading it was 'I did not come for the healthy, I came for the sick'. Your sufferings help you to see with Jesus' eyes of compassion, to serve others with Jesus' hands, and to love with Jesus' heart...as painful as it may be.
ReplyDeleteAndie
Bravo JBR for admitting that you can not do this by yourself. You say that Sarah Young's devotional could not have come at a better time, well I think your post could not have come at a better time because yesterday my therapist informed me that she would like for me to see a Psychiatrist...just when I thought I was making progress!
ReplyDeletesmooches,
Larie
oh dear friend I can SO relate.
ReplyDeletethank you thank you thank you
for this refreshing splash
from the river that gives LIFE!
Yes, rely on Him...lay down our own
thinking and trust Him instead of
our own perspectives and opinions.
Oh sweet freedom.
Thank you and sending love
and grace, grace, grace
to you dear JBR.
-Jen
It does take His strength to go on...it tough though, rely on Him
ReplyDeleteI LIKE THIS DEVOTIONAL. FULL OF TRUTH. SOMETIMES TRUTH COMES WITH PAIN IN THIS WORLD.
ReplyDelete