Strength part 4
Isn't it funny how much importance we put on first impressions? Even though at the same time we demand, "You can't judge a book by its cover." We love to label things and put them into boxes and then we expect them to stay there. But most of the time all that is is a recipe for disaster. Because people don't fit in boxes. Ogres are like onions, and so are people. We have layers. A snapshot first impression rarely tells the story. What does this have to do with strength? And more specifically inner strength? Everything. Because if you don't know who you are you can very easily fall into the trap of letting others define you. You can start to believe that you are who people say you are. You can lose yourself even when you're desperate to find yourself. Because, as the old saying goes, "Those who stand for nothing will fall for anything." The lie--that you have to DO in order to BE--is easy to swallow. It makes a lot of sense to the natural mind. But our inner strength doesn't come from the natural mind. It is from within. The inner man is the hidden man of the HEART. The mind of CHRIST. And the mind of Christ knows the thoughts of God (the thoughts of LOVE). Jeremiah 29:11 is my best example of the word for word thoughts of God, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Thoughts of peace. That's what strength is really for. To maintain peace. Blessed are the peacemakers, right? They are the Son(s) of God. They are the Word (LOVE) made flesh. Not to make war--because Jesus fought and won the war to end all war on the cross--but to make peace. Solomon was a strong king because his father got rid of all of his enemies. We don't have to overcome because Jesus already overcame. We HAVE overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of His (OUR) testimony. When we know who we are. When we know that His testimony IS our testimony. His death WAS our death. His strength IS our strength. It doesn't matter what other people think or say about you. It matters what your heavenly Father thinks and says about you. "And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy'" (Matthew 3:17). That's the thoughts of peace, and not of evil. You are His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased. You are His dearly loved Son, who brings Him great joy. That's the expected end. Joy unspeakable. Because even though there ARE tribulations, we can be of good cheer. Not because we CAN overcome, but because Jesus HAS overcome the world. He made the valleys low and the mountains high. He is the straight and narrow way that leads to life. A life of living and loving. Because to live is to love and to love is to live. So if someone judges you... don't worry about it. Know who you are and BE who you are. Let the love that's inside come out, and watch people's opinions of you change. Its really hard to hate someone who shows you nothing but love. I think that's what the Bible means when it talks about heaping fiery coals on people's heads. Not to burn them up, or hurt them, or punish them. But to melt their hearts. True strength is turning the other cheek. Enduring. Letting people say what they're gonna say and staying true to yourself no matter what. Loving people WITHOUT judging them. Loving them anyway. It can be hard, but that's why it takes strength!