You Are Stronger Than You Think

I had a rough night of sleep last night.  

The wind was howling outside, and even with my noise machine playing some soothing "brown noise" (look it up), I kept waking up because the wind hit my windows and made my house creak something fierce. 

Every time I woke up, my mind started racing about all of the things that were going on in my life, the worries that I do my best to set aside during the day, and the fact that this season of waiting that I'm slogging through seems to be going on forever. 

I started feeling like I wasn't strong enough to face everything I needed to face, which is the kind of thing that can happen in the dark wee hours of a winter morning when the storm inside seems to match the rage of the storm outside. 

I have come to understand that feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, and even afraid of our potential in challenging times is natural.  This isn't an incredibly comforting thought, but it does offer some perspective.   

This morning, I read some profound words of Thomas Merton that reminded me that perhaps our greatest battle lies not in our circumstances but within ourselves:  

"Perhaps I am stronger than I think. Perhaps I  am even afraid of my strength, and turn it against myself, thus making myself weak.  Making myself secure. Making myself guilty.  Perhaps I am most afraid of the strength of God in me.  Perhaps I would rather be guilty and weak in myself, than strong in Him whom I cannot understand."

These words speak to a universal truth: we often underestimate our resilience and, in doing so, shy away from the divine strength that resides within us.

Merton's introspection reveals that we might fear our own strength because it necessitates a reliance on something greater than ourselves—our faith in God. 

The Bible beautifully encapsulates this in Isaiah 41:10, where God assures us: 

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” 

This promise speaks to the essence of inner strength—when we trust in God’s power, we tap into a reservoir of courage that can carry us through any storm.

In her book "The Mountain is You," Brianna Wiest states: 

“Your mountain is not the thing you need to conquer. You simply need to learn how to walk around it.” 

This quote encourages us to view our struggles as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles. Each challenge we face can reveal the innate strength that God has placed within us. 

Instead of resisting our strength, we must learn to embrace it as a gift from God, recognizing that our vulnerabilities make us wholly human and our reliance on divine strength enables transformation.

In moments when we feel weak or guilty, it is important to remember that God is not looking for perfection but rather for hearts willing to trust. Understanding that the strength of God is within us can be both liberating and frightening. 

We may fear what it means to embrace this power; however, it is in surrendering our need for control and allowing God's strength to flow through us that we find true courage.

As we navigate life's challenges, let us cultivate a spirit of trust. Allow God to lift you when you feel incapable of standing on your own. Lean into the promises God has given us, reminding ourselves that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. 

Hold onto this empowering truth: we are stronger than we think, and we can face any adversity with God by our side. Trust in the divine strength within you, and know that you are never alone on your journey. 

Remember to breathe deeply and choose faith over fear in your moments of doubt.  The storms inside may howl and rage, but you have nothing to fear.  Embrace your strength, knowing it reflects God’s unwavering presence.

May this be true for us all.  And may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us, now and forever. Amen.