As I read this Psalm again this morning, the third verse resonated more for me….“he renews my strength.”
Strength is not a permanent thing or one off virtue you develop that remains forever. Strength as defined in the dictionary is, “Quality or state of being strong, metal power, moral power, firmness or courage.” Quality diminishes with continuous use if not maintained or improved regularly.
Your strength in any area of life is what makes you strong to excel or stand the test in that sphere of life. To continue excelling or overcoming challenges in an area of life, your strength needs to be renewed on a regular basis. The strength of last month may not withstand the challenges of this month. The sheep’s strength is renewed by the shepherd, as he ensures they lay and feed by the green pasture, leading them by peaceful streams to drink water. It may seem like the same routine daily, but that’s where their strength lies.
Where Does Your Strength Lie?
How did you develop your current strength? What gives you strength? The answer to the above questions will give you a clue as to how to renew, refresh and restore your strength.
A teenage girl was watching her father helplessly as he was trapped under a lift shaft fighting for his life. When paramedics and trauma doctors arrived, one of the doctors pulled her aside as she sobbed, appealing for them to help her father. The doctor said,
“You have to be strong for your dad.”
“That’s what the nurse told me when my mother died. What if I’m tired being strong?” she responded, still sobbing.
I’ve been a Christian for twenty years now and if there is one thing you are encouraged to do it is to be strong. This encouragement is written all over the Bible – to be strong and courageous even in the face of contradictions. However, what do you do when you are tired of being strong – when you don’t have the courage or strength to face another disappointment, heartbreak or tragedy? No matter how terrible or terrifying the situation may be, you need to be strong or someone else needs to be strong for you so you can ride through the rough patches.
One of the many ways strength (a state of being strong) can be renewed, refreshed and restored is by influence, relationships and resources. There are few people in my life who can be strong for me when I’m tired. Just speaking with them over the phone can recharge or renew my courage to keep pushing. You don’t have to know all the answers life is demanding of you. A man who was resigned to his fate of being crippled for the rest of his life had four great friends who were strong for him. They risked everything to get him help, even when they encountered obstacles that could have made it impossible to proceed further; they defied the odds to help their friend. Why? Because they were strong for him.
Never look down on yourself because you are weak and tired in the middle of life’s tragedy, disappointment or challenges. Let someone be strong for you in those moment.
