Tuesday 6 April 2010

My Strength...


The year is zooming by and it's April already. My daughter turns six years old in just under two weeks and I cannot believe how fast the time has flown by. But in looking back over the last six years, a lot of things have happened. A lot of changes. A lot of heartache and hurt. A lot of joyful and happy moments.

But things change. We change. Circumstances change. Levels of resilience change.

Last month was all about relationships for my 2010 Word List. As you can see from here, I only managed one post on the theme, but relationships are still on my mind. This month's theme, however, is strength. I am glad to be concentrating on this as He IS my strength. He is why, at this particular time of my life amid this change, I am able to hold my head up high and feel the reassurance in my heart that I am going to be OK.

I feel weak, feeble, tired, emotionally drained, and, most of all, I miss the man who shared my life for the last 4 years.

He came into my life when I needed strength and he gave it well. Over time, however, it became evident that I needed God's strength more than I needed that of a man. For those who have read my blog for a while now, you will know that I have spent my entire adult life - up until now - searching for unconditional love. I have learnt that I will never find it here on earth. It's the one thing we all crave, but it's the one thing we won't find...outside of God, that is.

Psalm 46:1 in the NIV tells us that "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." This is so profoundly true.

I never actually realised how strong God's mighty power was until I started experiencing the hurt and pain I've felt over the last 9 months or so, and especially over the last week. Just by calling on His name and taking my concerns to Him, I have on many occasions been comforted by Him almost immediately. Other times I have had to endure some suffering before the hurt and pain subsided, but it did not happen without Him providing me with the strength I needed to cope.

He IS my strength.
He IS my mighty tower.
He IS my comfort and shield.
He IS my everything.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing me with Your strength through the times when I've needed it most. Thank You for always being here for me, either to provide an out for my current circumstance, or to strengthen me to endure it until the hurt and pain subsides. You are God who is good, faithful and the provider of an everlasting love that we all need so much. I love You. In Jesus' Mighty Name, Amen.

6 comments:

  1. Hey Paula, I started to respond ... and then it just got way out of control, so instead I just posted it on Siyach (http://siyach.com/god/joy-of-the-lord-is-my-strength/) ... if you are interested you can check it out there :)

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  2. I was just realizing this morning in my devotion time that I was/am searching for that unconditional love. I'm missing it too, from a relationship I had (long term) that has more than likely ended. This gives me food for thought and helps me look to Him for that unconditional love I need.

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  3. Paula, only the Lord can fill our hearts with exactly what we need. No human being can fill us. I've learned that the hard way, believe me.

    As I was reading your words, I wanted to share a link with you. I read Jezemama's post earlier today and thought it might be helpful for you. Different circumstances but ...finding the joy of the Lord is the same.

    Here's her link:http://jezamama.blogspot.com/2010/04/finding-joy-again.html.

    Sending hugs to you today,
    Debbie

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  4. I love this. I love that He is our Strength. Because sometimes we get caught up in our weaknesses. And we realize just how hard things are when we try to carry it on our own. And He was there the whole time. Just waiting. :)

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  5. Love living in His strength. xo

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