Be strong...

What does it really mean to be strong in the Lord? Do we recover completely and forget all our sorrow in that instance? How do we even "draw" God's strength?

God is all-powerful; He created the universe, He created us from dust.. He is omniscient; He knows everything we do, everything we feel, and there is nothing hidden from Him.. If we should need financial help, the most natural thing for most humans would be to talk to a close friend or relative who has the financial means to help and rely on him or her totally.. But if we need God's help, why don't we talk to Him, since He has the means.. Or why don't we just leave everything to Him?

Humans are only human.. We are dust, dust with the breath of God in us.. What can dust do? We have to learn to submit to God.. True, we have our own desires and such, and often, it is hard to say if they are for our good, simply because we can't predict the future.. But God can, and He knows what is best for His children.. Which father would harm his child? How much more will our heavenly Father care for us! (Matthew 7:9-11)..

The problem lies in that we still want our own way.. We have never given up on our desires.. We can carry our burdens to God; we tell Him, "God, take these away", and then we take up those burdens away.. God promises us that we can cast all our cares and worries on Him, because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).. But how do we expect God to help us if we will not let Him help?

And very often, we make things worse by listening to worldly advice for self-consolation.. Psychologists have a whole slew of terms and such that make us feel that what we feel is normal and accepted, even if it is sin in God's sight.. What is human knowledge as compared to what God knows? If God tells us that something is good for us, do we act smart and say that we know better? Imagine a kid trying to persuade his mother that roasting his hand in the oven for entertainment is good..

So easy to say, but so hard to do.. Let us try to learn..