Embracing Weakness

Isaiah 42:3 "A bruised reed He will not break, and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice."

Isaiah 54:10 "For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and my covenant of peace will not be shaken," says the Lord who has compassion on you." 

 Romans 8:26 "In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words."

     Looking out, it seems most people have it all together. Yes, bad things happen to everyone, but they seem to take their hardships in stride. Me? I crumble. I've often questioned my relationship with God because of my severe anxieties and depression. Where is this "joy" I'm supposed to feel in every circumstance. Shouldn't I just trust that everything will be okay? I know God holds the world together, so why does it seem like my life is always spinning out of control? 

     But what if being fragile is a gift? What would happen if I fully embraced my frailty? Being broken isn't wrong or even bad. It places us in a state of dependency. Most of the time our unwillingness to embrace this frailty is what makes things so hard. It's like watching my son desperately trying to reach something so clearly out of his grasp. He will end up in tears over it. But what if he asked for help? For me, it's no problem to get his juice off the counter. So why don't I just get it for him immediately? --To teach him how to ask for help. If he asked as soon as he realized he needed help, he could saved a lot of heartache. Maybe that's how it is with God. He is just waiting for us to say, "Help God! This is totally out of my reach." It's no problem for Him--after all, He keeps the universe together. 

     But why is this a gift--this constant brokenness? Some people got the gift of abundant energy and I get weariness? Here is the catch. The more dependent we are on God, the closer we are to him. His compassionate side gets to shower us with love and understanding. We get to suffer with Him, knowing that He has been there. And that joy is not a feeling, it's a hope. It gets better--A LOT better. And until then, we have the Holy Spirit to give us strength. Those of us who are fragile have the unique opportunity to shine His light in a way that people can relate to. We show the world that Jesus accepts you as you are--brokenness and all. We don't need to hide our weakness. Let it shine out and show the redemptive power of the Lord through your weakness.

    

Embracing Joy

John 10:10-11 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."

Matthew 1:23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call his name Immanuel which translated means, "God with us.""

    Stop. Did you read those verses above? If you did, did you just skim them? Go back and read them again and really focus on what they say. Dwell on them for a moment before you read what I have to say. God's words will always be most important. (That's why they go first.)

  We were created to have joy. It was always meant for us. Life is supposed to be abundant, but for so many of us, that seems like an impossible stretch. Just getting through the day is sometimes hard to do. So how can we embrace the joy set before us? This world is going downhill fast. There doesn't seem to be much to be happy about. That's where I must remind myself: happiness is not the same as joy. Joy is not dependent upon our circumstances. Joy is a constant in the life of a born again Christian. Joy may not be a "feeling" but it can determine how we react and feel about our lives. Sometimes, joy seems a very foreign concept to me. Here is what I do know: Joy is hope. This world is not our home. We have a glorious Savior. We are already victorious in Him. That's joy. 

     But how can that affect every moment? Remember that before Jesus came to this earth He was named "God with us-Immanuel." Now we have the Holy Spirit walking with us 24/7. Think of that. Remember that you are in His presence and find joy in it. We can relax and enjoy life when we spend our day focused on the one who made us to live life abundantly.