Strong Enough?

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Ephesians 6:10 

 

What do you think of when you are told to "be strong"?  Do you imagine a grim, stone-faced warrior that is unmoved by anything or anyone?  How about one whose muscles are so developed that they are intimidating to say the least and are always in the mood to work harder on perfecting their physique?  Perhaps you picture a runner with more endurance than anyone else.

 

Think about this: Being strong can also mean that one is so strong that they aren't afraid to be vulnerable.  Being strong enough to let people see the real you.  Being strong enough to love others (even the difficult people and even those others tell you to give up on).

 

Let me tell you a truth, there was a time when I really needed someone to care and for a time I reached out and no one reached back.  Then God brought someone into my life that was strong enough to not only reach out to me but let me reach out to them.  Being strong can mean you are strong enough to reach out to help someone up and encourage them.

 

Stepping on people or putting them down doesn't take strength.  In fact, it's among some of the most cowardly things we can do to one another.  

 

Be strong!  Reach out!  Lift Up!  Encourage!  If you've ever been down, you know what that feels like and that should be enough to help someone else.  God does it to us every day, who are we to do differently? 

Today's Challenge: Encourage!

Encouraging words are like a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24 

Let's be honest, we all like to be encouraged.  There's something about hearing the words of uplifting affirmation that makes our day a little brighter and makes our storms a little less stressful.  So why is it so difficult for us to encourage each other?  My experience has been, more often than not, we seek to criticize rather than encourage.  When one hears naught but criticism, resentment and anger will be the result.

But think about this, encouragement comes in many forms other than words.  How about when someone smiles and says, "Thank You"?  How about when you are struggling and someone comes alongside and sits with you through the storm, instead of abandoning you? How about when someone you wouldn't expect comes up to you, shakes your hand and tells you that you are appreciated?

I walked into my office this morning and found that someone had left a basket of apples and a note of appreciation for the Deputies in the squad room. I was encouraged because someone else cared about the same people that I do and aren't afraid to show it.

A little encouragement goes a LONG way!  Every morning when we wake up, God is giving us another opportunity to encourage each other!

 

Imagine The Power

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them

Matthew 18:20 

 When you hear the word "Power" what comes to mind?  Perhaps political power.  Perhaps military power.  But what about the power that comes through Christ?  Let's think about that for a moment.  

For all the years of my life in which I heard this verse, I thought it applied to prayer.  And....it does.  However, if we limit it to just prayer, we miss so much more!  Imagine if two or three are gathered together in Jesus' Name to ENCOURAGE you.  Imagine of two or three are gathered in Jesus' Name to help you move or fix your car or cut your grass or take you to lunch or gathered to comfort you during a time of struggle.

The point I want you to see here is that there is true POWER when God's People come together in Jesus' Name!