Strong

Joshua 1:9

⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

So what does it mean to be strong?  

When I hear these words I immediately think, "Okay, Sandra. Just suck it up, and keep on going one step at a time. Don't show weakness. Don't show fear. Just keep going. Then you will be strong. You can handle this. BE STRONG!!  God is watching. Pull it together. Stand strong for him."

And God gently taps me on the shoulder and I fall apart in his arms, because I am tired of being strong by my definition of the word. 

And God has to reteach me what it is to be strong again.

Being strong is not being without fault and without fear. Being strong is learning to deliberately depend on God. Not suck it up. Not hold your head up high. Being strong is deciding to let God be the boss and let him provide the strength that you need.

Every time I try to be strong in my own power, I will get overwhelmed, and I will stress out and ultimately, I will fail. 

So I'm learning to make myself intentionally surrender and be okay with the idea that I can't do it all. Because only when I realize I can't, do I give room for God to be God in my life and allow him to be the only source of my strength. 

Jesus loves me this I know

For the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to him belong. 

They are weak but He is STRONG!