Be strong in the Lord. Never give up hope. You’re going to do great things. I already know.
~Lyrics by Sidewalk Prophets
I love that song…it’s powerful.
I’ve been thinking a lot about strength lately, and when it comes to my mind, strength isn’t really something I’d say I have.
When I think of a strong woman, I think of a mom who has it all together.
She attends her bible study weekly, manages her 5 children who all behave perfectly, bakes delicious, chewy cookies and hands them out in pretty packages, exercises every morning, and still finds that precious family time in the evening around the dinner table.
Sure, I do these things, but not as efficiently and effectively as the lady down the street.
We all know someone who we think is “stronger.”
I read the story of Joshua this morning.
It is a perfect illustration of combining strength and faith without having the supernatural talents like I listed above.
Joshua was called out of thousands of other qualified Israelites to lead the people to the Promised Land.
He was young and had big shoes to fill having Moses as his predecessor.
As I read through the chapter, I realized that Joshua had one complication after another.
Every time he advanced his people, they would sin and send themselves backward- further away from the land God promised them.
I can relate to that.
I get ahead on laundry only to find that my daughter wet the bed that very night.
I wake up at 5 am to exercise only to find out that the baby wasn’t going to sleep in that morning.
I prepare fun crafts for my children only to find that my son enjoys the taste of Elmer’s glue.
I think to myself, “why isn’t anything working out right?”
I assume that’s how Joshua felt.
I can only imagine the feeling of defeat he felt day after day.
But, he was a strong man.
His strength was not based on physical potential, but on mental power.
He was disciplined enough to ask the Lord for help.
He was mentally strong enough to handle what was laid before him because he trusted in the Lord.
We have a huge battle set before us.
I’m praying that God gives us continued strength to provide our families with love and stability as we try to manage all of our motherly responsibilities.
He’s rooting for us, just as He was rooting for the Israelites to obtain the Promised Land.
Be content in what He’s given to you and your family, and use it to glorify Him.
When you are feeling weak and powerless, remember these words found in Joshua 1:5
“No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, I will also be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Enjoy your weekend and have the strength and courage to be the woman God made you to be!
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