BY CHERYL WELLS
I’m feeling inspired – in spirited – to talk about the need for daily strength in the midst of stress and extreme workload. It seems to be a constant for many women and with just experiencing Mother’s Day and receiving sentiments myself and from others about the demands on moms and women in general – it’s a topic that needs attention and validation. For most of my life I did not really see how much I needed this, and I don’t think I’m alone.
On Mother’s Day I had 16 people at my dinner table. I love to entertain, and I wanted to have the family that could come. I had two granddaughters overnight the night before and by the time everyone left and the house was put back together, I was really tired. It was a really sweet weekend. The difference is that I am in a season where I have learned that I need rest now.
Also, I need to pay attention to what I’m eating and drinking and remember what I learned from my nutritionist Kimberly. (KimberlyNanninga.com) I woke the next morning and knew that I needed to give myself a day of no schedule and no expectations. I needed time to just be and to breathe. (Another tip is to check out the Noom app for more help with a lot of these things, but it is not free. So worth it though.)
I love to walk and move my body and so I did that, as well as I listened to my daily Bible reading on Daily Audio Bible. (a free app). I spent some time praying and talking with God about how I was feeling physically and emotionally. I realized that my biggest need was for me to be good with realizing my weakness. The strength of God breaks through my weakness as I recognize it and ask Him to be with me in it.
Why has that been so hard for me to know and to recognize my part? It takes humility for anyone to look at their part in something, right? Humility means having a modest view of one’s own importance. Yep! Could it be that I think that I am so important and that no one could do all the things that I do? Forgive me Jesus? Please forgive me to those around me who I have hurt and offended by my pride? It’s like the 12 steps when it talks about the first step is to ask for help. But do I need help, and can I ask? Why is it hard as a woman and as a mom to admit that? Check out the 12 steps of AA for more guidance and help.
“Be our strength every morning, our salvation in times of distress.” (Isaiah 33:2b)
Be gracious to me; I long for You. That’s how Isaiah started off this passage and I can do that too. He will be my strength when I realize that I am weak and ask for help. When I acknowledge that I need strength from God and allow myself to rest and be refilled, it makes my soul free. It’s like a really big breath of air that just brings peace and clarity.
“Come back, O Lord, make my soul free; O give me salvation because of Your mercy.”
(Psalm 6:4)
Taking the time to breathe and ask God for help and rest does bring clarity to us as women. When our soul is free it means that we are right with God and our spirit lives in communion with God’s Spirit so that our heart and mind are aligned with Him, as well as our will is surrendered to His. Everything makes sense and we see that it’s going to be ok. Our strength is revived and there is true joy from the Lord that outlasts any situation.
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
I’m so grateful for the promises of God that are for me because of Jesus. My strength can be renewed like the eagle, and my soul can be free, when I turn to God and trust in Him and His mercy and grace. If you want to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus, know that you can call me or email. I would love to talk with you.
