Strength & Confidence

strength - Definition: The quality or state of being strong, in particular:

• physical power and energy
• the emotional or mental qualities in dealing with situations or events that are distressing or difficult
  
• the capacity of an object or substance to withstand great force or pressure
• the influence or power possessed by a person, organization, or country
• the degree of intensity of a feeling or belief

I'm so sleepy, but I just have to get this out! Ever had any of those days (or weeks) where you're just flat out TIRED? Just sleepy...all. the. time. Well, that's been the past couple of weeks for me in a nutshell. My job has had me in CA Fridays thru Tuesdays and in Indy on the other days, sleeping on airplanes, pure craziness; as a result, my body has been fluctuating between Eastern Standard Time and Pacific Standard Time. I repeatedly find myself either sleeping in way past my alarm, or getting up at the crack of dawn way before my alarm! Who knew a little three-hour time change could affect the biological clock so much?! But alas it does. Along with this perpetual tiredness comes my overly hyperactive brain due to a lack of consistent quiet time in the Word in the morning on my "travel days". I've noticed Fridays and Tuesdays are the worst because that's when I'm usually running to the airport on little sleep, trying to catch an early flight, before time in the Word & prayer. And when I say "hyperactive," I don't mean hyperactive in a good way, mind you (if there is such a thing), but in a way that makes my head spin off into la-la, unproductive land.

The last time my head spun off during one of these busy/tired times, the Lord led me to Psalm 23. Unbelievable. It was EXACTLY what I needed to hear, when I needed to hear it, and how I needed to hear it. So, I've been reading that psalm lately....over and over and over and over the past couple of days.

Well, in this morning's quiet time (I'm finally home sweet home!), I sensed a fresh "theme" to which God is leading me. This is in the area of strength. Psalm 119:28 "...strengthen me according to your word." I've also realized that I'm a bit of a weakling when it comes to difficulty! Ironic because my life has certainly had its share of ups and downs, but still somehow I manage to keep my frailty, and for this reason, I couldn't be more thankful for the grace, God generously provides. Yet in this world there is evil, difficult situations, "great force or pressure" (see def.'n above), intensity, and so I believe God is calling me to a place where I no longer respond with self-pity, hopelessness, doubt, or fear but respond with strength, and courage, and confidence that because of His unfailing love, our hearts and lives are in His hands working His perfect plan.

I used www.biblegateway.com to check out what the Bible said about this topic:

• "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD is your God who goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you." ~Deut. 31:6
• "The LORD himself goes before ou and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." ~Deut. 31:8
  
• "Though an army besiege me, I will not fear; though a war break out against me, even then I will be confident." ~Ps. 27:3
• "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." ~Ps. 27:13-14

Strong...courageous....no fear....STILL confident (regardless of circumstances)....WILL see the goodness of the Lord (absolutely convinced that the goodness of the Lord exists). :-)

I have no idea if the grammar or spelling is correct in this post, but I'm so sleepy, I could care less about syntax and semantics.

Good Night! Our God reigns. Whew.