“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

I have always thought of myself as a strong woman.  As a young girl, I remember growing up with confidence and the ability to be a leader.  If I had a goal, I worked hard and reached it.  Or if I didn’t, I knew it wasn’t for a lack of trying and felt success in the effort.  As a teenager, I felt like nothing could hold me back.  I was able to take these affirmations with me to college and again as I entered the “real world.” I felt like I had arrived.  I was a successful, strong woman.

Somewhere between beginning this next phase of my life and becoming a wife and mother, I had lost that strength.  With all the new challenges, responsibilities, and difficulties I faced in these new roles, I didn’t know where that “strong woman” went.  I continued to work hard, but I felt like I always fell short.  I started to get discouraged. I was empty and felt terribly alone.  Why was this so hard?  Why couldn’t I be that strong, successful person anymore?  It got so bad that I often asked, “What’s the point?  I am a failure.  I am failing as a wife. I am failing as a mother.  I am failing as a woman. What happened to me?  Why can’t I do this?”

After many, many tears and lots of doubt, I realized what was wrong.  I was trying to do everything by myself.  I thought that being strong meant being able to do it all without needing anybody else or anything to help me.

I now have a new definition of strength.  Strength is knowing that you are not alone and cannot do it alone.  It is He who strengthens me and knowing that all I have and all I do is because He is with me- loving me, encouraging me, reassuring me, and believing in me.  I am a strong woman because I have put my trust in the Lord, and as the verse says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Prayer: Lord, please help me find my strength in You. Help me to always remember that You are with me, loving me, encouraging me, reassuring me, and believing in me.  Please help me to know that I am never alone, and with You I can do all things. In Jesus’ name. Amen.