Defining Strength
Strength is something that we hear people aspire to have nearly every day. Some people want to be physically strong. Some struggle mentally and hope for strength. There is a strength though, that most of the world today has no interest in, and in some instances may not even know about.
Before getting into that, I feel it appropriate to define the word itself. When using Webster’s 1828 dictionary, there are 20 different definitions for this word. That should tell us just how important it is and should be in our lives. The top 3 definitions are as follows:
1 : the quality or state of being physically strong.
2 : the ability to resist being moved or broken by a force.
3 : the quality that allows someone to deal with problems in a determined and effective way.
We are all familiar with the “physically strong” definition. This is the most common worldly understanding of the word. As long as you can’t fit into a typically sized shirt, or that you can lift so much weight, you’re strong. Let’s see your reaction to my next statement. If that is the strength you aspire to or even possess, you’re weaker than you think.
Two major verses come to mind when considering this idea. 1 John 2:16 tells us “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world”. If you are exercising to look tough, get strong, and show that off, your focus is prideful. Proverbs 16:18 says “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall”. In our own words, you need to get over yourself because you are in your own way.
Now I know, I am not in amazing shape. I also know for some of you, the reaction to what I am saying goes something along the lines of “As he sits there in front of his computer, fat and out of shape”. I apologize if my mindset is not to please you. My mindset is on the Lord, who tells us in 1 Timothy 4:8 “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come”. So, let me clarify, I am not against taking care of your body and doing what you can to stay in shape. Your body is meant to be a vessel for Christ. But if you are more focused on your physical strength than your mental or spiritual strength, than you priorities are a bit off.
The best strength of all, comes from Christ, plain and simple. All direction, all guidance, and all abilities come from Him. So, wouldn’t it make sense that your spiritual strength conquers all? In some of the most difficult conditions someone could face, Paul said in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”.
Those that know us, know our family has faced some hardships. Many of these hardships are also physical in nature. Our son has a developmental disorder which causes seizures and many physical delays, which cause him to lack physical strength in some ways. My wife has had two kidney transplants and has to work hard to take care of herself. We could sit here and be frustrated, upset, and disappointed at our situation. Though this family does their due diligence in taking care of ourselves physically, our true strengths and abilities come from Christ. We choose to work out our spiritual muscles, and tone our biblical understanding of this life. Without that, this family would have failed years ago, because following the worlds understanding of strength would have led to our fall. It has helped us to resist being moved or broken by force and taught us how to deal with problems in a determined and effective way.
Strength is not a bad thing, if you harness it properly. If you haven’t gotten the message, Physical strength can be defeated. Some of the strongest characters in the Bible were small, minor, puny little people physically. But their faith was strong indeed. Spiritual strength will always conquer physical strength. I’ll close with evidence of this fact:
Galations 5:22–24: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts”.
Crucify the flesh. Strengthen the spirit, and stay strong my friends.
