Strength Will Rise

I always struggle at this time of year.

When it's dark by the time I get home from work and it's cold outside, all I feel like doing in the evenings is curling up on the sofa with a film or a good book or taking a nap.

I feel so lethargic and sleepy.

I feel tired and weary.

And I wonder if I will ever feel energetic again.

The Bible talks about these feelings of exhaustion and shows us that God can restore our energy when we are run down and worn out.

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

[Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV]

I long to run and not grow weary and to walk and not be faint. But that only comes when I trust in the Lord and put my hope in Him.

I need to trust in Him and rely on His strength, instead of relying on my own.

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord.

When You Fall

I was just reflecting on what to write about today as I popped out to the supermarket.  I crouched down to look at the bread, stood up and, seconds later, found myself sprawling on the floor.

 

A stray puddle claimed me as its victim.

 

It took me completely by surprise - one minute I was thinking about bread, the next I was on the floor.

 

I don't think we ever get used to falling over.

 

I don't think we ever get used to that feeling of complete powerlessness and surprise.  We realise what is happening and we also realise that we are incapable of stopping it in the same moment.  So we try and brace ourselves, but there isn't enough time.

 

Thankfully several people rushed to my side and helped me to my feet.  They helped me to a chair and got me some frozen peas and made sure I was alright before I came home.  I didn't know them, but they helped me and supported me.

 

The Bible says,

 

"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.  If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.  But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.  Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm.  But how can one be warm alone?  A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.  Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."

 

[Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT] 

 

Thankfully when I took a tumble, there were people around to help me to my feet.   They reached out and helped. 

 

If I had been alone, I would have got myself up and home again, but I think more than my legs would have been bruised: we need other people to support and strengthen us.  We need to look out for each other and support each other and, most importantly, pick each other up when we fall - both literally and metaphorically.

 

These are the words of the chorus of one of my favourite songs ['By Your Side' by Tenth Avenue North]:

 

        And I'll be by your side
        Wherever you fall
        In the dead of night
        Whenever you call
        And please don't fight
        These hands that are holding you
        My hands are holding you

 

 We weren't meant to walk this life alone.

 

 

 

Weak Knees

Yesterday I had a physio appointment as I have had problems with my left knee for years:  I can't kneel down without it dislocating and getting stuck.  

The physio tested the strength of my muscles in each leg and I was astonished by the difference.  Whilst I could balance comfortably on my right leg, I wobbled like a weeble when I tried the same on my left leg.  When she created resistance for my right leg, I hardly noticed, but when she did the same for my left leg, I could barely move it.

She has given me a range of exercises to try and strengthen the muscles in my left leg, so that my knee is more likely to stay in place.  I gave them a go this morning and although they are quite simple lifts and stretches, I watched as my leg shuddered and trembled in front of me with the effort. 

I am meant to complete 10 repetitions of each exercise every day.  I had to force myself to do 5 because it was so painful.

I had no idea my left leg was so weak.

I was reminded, ironically, of this verse in Hebrews 12 -

"Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees."

[Hebrews 12:12 NIV]

It's part of a wider encouragement to us to persevere and to endure discipline so that what is weak and feeble may be strengthened.  The concept of training and discipline applies both physically and spiritually.  We don't get fit or strong without putting in the work.

"For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.  No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterwards there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.  So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.  Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong."

[Hebrew 12:10-13 NLT]

'Training' and strengthening the muscles in my left leg is agonising.  But my leg will only get stronger (and, therefore, my knee will only be less likely to dislocate), if I persevere.  I am hopeful that in a couple of weeks I will be able to make it to 10 repetitions without feeling that my leg is on fire.

It is hard work, but I am sure it will be worth it. 

In the same way, accepting God's 'training' and discipline in our lives is hard and humbling, but it is worth it.  It draws us closer to Him.  It deepens our relationship with Him.  It makes us more like Him.