Glory-Strength

[bluidkiti]

Glory-Strength

"We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul-not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us." Col. 1:11, 12 (The Message)

We all need strength to get through the day, but how often do we rely on our own strength, that grim strength that Paul talks about here? How often do we rely on our own determination that requires teeth-gritting and endurance on our part, when we have been offered God's "glory-strength"? I like that phrase, "glory-strength". It speaks of the supernatural power that is available to us. Surely, when we experience that kind of strength, joy and thanksgiving will follow, as Paul tells us. God has so much in store for us, because He loves us with all His heart. It is because of that love He has for us that He wishes to help us to see all that is bright and beautiful; but first we must let go of our own need to control the situations He places in our lives. We must stop gritting our teeth and struggling and instead, submit to Him. When we do, we will be given that "glory-strength" that will enable us to overcome the obstacles in our path and see beyond the cares of this world to "everything bright and beautiful that he has for us

Father, thank You for the promise of Your strength to see me through this life. I am grateful that I do not have to walk this way alone, in my own strength, for that would surely be a disaster. I thank You for the joy I have in You, for the joy of knowing You are seeing me through. I am so blessed! May the progress I make in this way because of Your help bring You glory and honor. Amen.
Quiet Waters