Adversity
One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity.
In an instant, life can suddenly become harder than we ever imagined. One phone call can tilt the whole world and leave a person clinging to a sense of normalcy. This happened to me a few weeks ago. A perfectly normal afternoon (I had just gotten to the gym, actually) was shattered with a phone call. I'm not sharing the details because it's intensely personal and involves other people. But I felt like I had been hit by a punch from Ali. The world was suddenly a precarious place to be. Everything I trusted, believed in and knew to be true was on the brink of changing.
Now, as a Christian, my hope is firmly secured in God. I know that He is in control, and I am not. I know that He has the power over my life and this planet. I trust in His love for me-- that He will never leave me and that He will take care of my needs. Immediately, I desperately prayed for His intervention in this situation where I had had control ripped from me. Suddenly, I was very tangibly completely vulnerable and helpless. I didn't know what the future would hold.
A little more than two weeks later and things have calmed down. Life has slipped back into the routine. I am back to feeling like I have control of my life again. But really I don't. It took a phone call, a near disaster to prove to me that my life is really not my own. Our bodies are such a precious balance of chemistry. We're walking miracles, really. Everyday is a miracle, really. How many times are we inches or moments away from a devastating injury or loss?
I have learned that in those times of adversity, there is no amount of medicine ball slams, sets of dumbbell presses, squats counted or miles logged that can heal what is broken. I've tried. And much of my training is driven by stress and a desire to sweat away my fears, doubts, and insecurities. And I feel better after some sweat therapy. But the only true way to overcome adversity is to be weak. (Not exactly in agreement with popular advice.) The weak I'm referring to is the weakness that admits helplessness and a need for someone bigger and stronger than not just me, but any problem I will ever face. This weakness looks to heaven and says, "Save me, Jesus. I can't do this alone." And He will. His strength becomes mine, and only then can I overcome.
Now, as a Christian, my hope is firmly secured in God. I know that He is in control, and I am not. I know that He has the power over my life and this planet. I trust in His love for me-- that He will never leave me and that He will take care of my needs. Immediately, I desperately prayed for His intervention in this situation where I had had control ripped from me. Suddenly, I was very tangibly completely vulnerable and helpless. I didn't know what the future would hold.
A little more than two weeks later and things have calmed down. Life has slipped back into the routine. I am back to feeling like I have control of my life again. But really I don't. It took a phone call, a near disaster to prove to me that my life is really not my own. Our bodies are such a precious balance of chemistry. We're walking miracles, really. Everyday is a miracle, really. How many times are we inches or moments away from a devastating injury or loss?
I have learned that in those times of adversity, there is no amount of medicine ball slams, sets of dumbbell presses, squats counted or miles logged that can heal what is broken. I've tried. And much of my training is driven by stress and a desire to sweat away my fears, doubts, and insecurities. And I feel better after some sweat therapy. But the only true way to overcome adversity is to be weak. (Not exactly in agreement with popular advice.) The weak I'm referring to is the weakness that admits helplessness and a need for someone bigger and stronger than not just me, but any problem I will ever face. This weakness looks to heaven and says, "Save me, Jesus. I can't do this alone." And He will. His strength becomes mine, and only then can I overcome.
I think we all tend to get busy with our everyday lives and forget that God holds our worlds in the palm of hands. I do think sometimes he sends us reminders to keep our eyes turned up to him when we get to busy. It doesn't always feel good to be reminded that we aren't the ones in charge, but it always makes me feel so much better when I turn back to pray to him. I love this song and use it when I have a rough patch that no amount of working out can help.
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/GP-yqaHYx7M
I hope your having a great week again.