By Cyndi
Trying To Be Strong
Primary characteristics of a Christian are usually pictured as strength, power, discipline, fortitude. We’re invoked to have the tenacity to go against the flow and be separate from the world. Scriptures are quoted and sermons are preached to us to get out there and bring in the lost. But how many of you know that it’s not that easy? We try really hard but sometimes we just can’t do it.
Just Can’t Do It
The usual response to falling down is to get back up and go again, seven times even, as Prov. 24:16 encourages us to do. And most of us probably try. But what if we can’t? Oh, we may try to “pull ourselves up by our bootstraps” and do it by sheer will power, but what if we can’t even do that?
What we may not realize is that when we can’t get back up, it’s usually because we’re hurt or wounded in some way.
We All Get Hurt
On a day to day basis our physical bodies get hurt. We stub a toe, cut a finger, bump our head, or scrape a knee. Normal life, right? All of these bruises or scabs take time to heal; we got wounded. So flipping to the emotional side of life, we go through the same thing. Someone says a demeaning thing about us, our parents are divorcing, we get passed over for a promotion, we’re disappointed in our spouse. Losses, regrets, anger, rejection. Life happens and it can hurt.
Yes, we as Christians have the Mighty One on our side and we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us (Rom.8:37), but we can feel cast down and “disquieted” at times too (Ps. 42). This word in Strong’s means to cry aloud, mourn, rage, be moved, be troubled. I’d say that’s a sign of being hurt!
So acknowledging we’re hurt and need healing isn’t something to be ashamed of, it’s being honest with God, even as King David was many times throughout the Psalms.
Getting Help
We all get a little scraped up in this journey called Life. And as Christians, it’s not always a 3-point sermon that’s going to get us back up off the floor. Sometimes we need to stay on the ground and let someone minister to us.
So when you feel like you just can’t do it anymore, go get help. It’s okay. Go to His medical staff of healing ministers and cry out. When we allow God’s healing power to heal and restore us, we can get back in the race. We can regain our strength and tenacity to show the world His great love and mercy and grace.