Elect Lady's Corner

Everyone in general wants to be strong or engage in the strong principles of life! Being strong not only means: “having the power to move heavy weights or to perform physically demanding tasks,” or doing extensive exercising, running, walking, etc., but also to be strong is to be confident and determined; not easily influenced or worried by other people’s opinions.

It is said confident people are usually sharp and manipulative with a strong personality. Being strong in life means to live life by creating “a life of strength, tenacity, resilience, optimism, nurturing and generosity.” In contrast, the average person does not find fulfillment in weakness. Weakness can be defined as: “lacking the power to perform physically demanding tasks; lacking physical strength and energy; liable to break or give way under pressure; easily damaged; not healthy.” 

It is said 7 signs of weak-minded people are: 1) they mask or hide their insecurities; 2) they think failure is not an option; 3) their self-worth depends upon how others see them 4) they suppress their emotions 5) They deny their pain 6) They think they can do everything 7) They try to control other people. So, to be strong does not mean to just be strong-willed, but it also requires one to live in a positive productive environment, surrounded by positive productive peoples. So, to be strong in the right way is a “good thing.” 

But what does God say about “being strong?” It is said: “the word strength and its derivatives are mentioned over 360 times in the Bible, applying to both natural and supernatural strength. The Greek word “katei” means power, strength, and might.” That’s why Ephesians 6:10 says: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.” 

The phrase “be strong” is first mentioned in the book of Joshua as he succeeded Moses as the new leader of the nation of Israel. One of the first instructions God gave to Joshua as the new leader is in Joshua 1:6 when God said to Joshua: “Be strong and of a good courage…” Then, God repeats this instruction to Joshua again to “be strong” in v. 7 and v. 9.  

Strength and courage must go hand and hand, you need courage to be strong. But God is not requiring us to be strong according to our own strength, but He said to be strong in His strength. Even when you don’t feel strong or adequate, or honestly you just feel weak; God reaffirms us in Joel 3:10b that says: “let the weak say, I am strong.” Don’t let weakness and defeat come out of your mouth, but speak strength to yourself according to God’s Word, and not according to your circumstances.

Romans 4:17b informs us: we can call those things which be not as though they were. Then, Philippians 4:13 said: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Then, David said in Psalm 27:1: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid?” Then, Psalm 138:3 said: “In the day when I cried Thou answeredst me, and strengthenedest me with strength in my soul.”

Then, Isaiah 40:31 encourages us that we grow strong and receive strength as we wait on the Lord. It says: “but they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.” God is not suggesting that we “be strong” or neither is He giving us an option to “be strong,” but He commands us to “be strong” according to His word.  

I John 4:4b said: “…greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” So, we should not say words like; “I’m so tired, or I’m too weak, or I’ve grown so weary of my life when Galatians 6:9 said: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”   So, hang on in there, and don’t give up! You got this!  Just keep telling yourself: “I am strong because God said: I can be strong in the Lord!”