Strong

Posted on January 11, 2024 by Elizabeth Welte in Victory Call

I overheard my husband talking on the phone sharing about my upcoming extended trip for work.  He said, “Yes, she’s a strong woman.”  I appreciated that he saw me that way but I quickly realized it is that very strength that gets in the way of my spiritual growth.

 

That strength, that I learned growing up and have leaned on for most of my life, interferes with my humble surrender, submission and obedience.

 

Are you a competent, confident person?  You may have experienced the same hindrance in your spiritual walk. The hindrance of ME.

 

When reading John 15:5, Jesus’ words: … for apart from me you can do nothing… have you ever thought, “Well, I can _________,” fill in the blank. We are prone to rely on self in all the areas we are strong and turn to God when we come up against something we can’t handle.

 

When we get to the end of ourselves and in flat out desperation cry out in faith – God moves as He has been waiting to do all along. He is not going to wrestle us for control in our life.

 

Notice what Paul shares in 2 Corinthians 12, the oft quoted vs. 9-10. “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Can you and I actually embrace weakness, the very thing we have fought against our whole lives? We may not have a problem with the weakness in others, but I believe our propensity is to shrink back from weakness in ourselves. It sounds impossible.  But God is in the business of the impossible.

 

God is in the process of changing us from being independent, dependent on our self to being dependent on Him. That will require letting go of our high opinion of self …For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Romans 12:3… and exchanging it for a higher opinion of God.

 

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:36

 

 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; … so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.'”  1 Corinthians 1:27, 31

 

Blessings,

Diane

 

(Originally posted:08/01/2019)

 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.

 

Written by Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and is the Executive Director & CEO of Changed Choices, a Christian non-profit in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

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This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9