Day 9: Strength

The past two mornings have been a little rough (times can be tough when you're female). But over the past two years, whenever I'm not feeling the greatest or am having a bad day, I try to remind myself of two things: first off, I've been through worse. I was sick for almost a year a while back. Doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. All they knew was that I had recently had a virus (nothing life-threatening), but I wasn't getting over the fatigue part of it. It got so bad that I was bedridden for almost a month. To make a long story short, I'm much better now, but recovery has been a long road, one in which God carried me for most of the journey, and supported my steps greatly when I finally had the strength to walk again. And He still walks with me every day. I'm still not 100% yet, but my doctor--a top physician in the particular condition I had--said that I'm one of his fastest recoveries, and he expects me to make a full recovery. Thank God!

Secondly, and much more importantly, Jesus went through WAY worse than I could ever imagine. He bore the weight of the cross, he endured humiliation and persecution and cruelty, he was kicked and cut and spat upon and stabbed and crucified, yet he did not shut out God. Jesus knew what God wanted him to do for His children. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice--he gave his life to save the rest of the world. That is unfathomably amazing. And it's proof that God doesn't abandon us, particularly when we're going through difficult times. In fact, that's when He is closest to us.

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
~Isaiah 40:28-31 (KJV)

As these verses say, God's strength and power don't fade...EVER. On our own, we humans can't last forever--we get tired, we drop with fatigue, we faint, we fall, and we eventually die. We can't expect to survive on our own, because no man (or woman) can regardless of how physically conditioned he (or she) is. However, if we put our trust in God and serve Him, He will share His strength with us. With God, we can fly like eagles, run forever, and never faint. Yes, our bodies still have limitations, but our souls will keep going, fueled by God's everlasting power. Because of Jesus Christ, we will never die.

So, yes, cramps are really annoying, and I usually do end up complaining a little bit about them, but I know that it is like comparing a grain of sand to the rest of the universe in terms of the crucifixion of Christ. What I'm going through is just a part of life. If it's happening, it means everything's workin' just as it should be and I'm healthy!

Thank You, Lord, for this day. It's gorgeous! I ask that You watch over my family, friends, pets, and me. Watch over those who have their own crosses to bear and bless them with Your strength and comfort. I pray that they not lose faith, for everything happens for a purpose in Your grand plan. And Lord, please forgive me if I complain about my womanhood today... it's not me, it's the hormones. :P Hehe. Thank You so much, Lord, for who I am. You give me strength always and I trust You and Your plan. You are indeed awesome. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Love and God Bless,
M.C.