Strong.

If I were ever to get a tattoo, I think it would simply be the word "Strong."  
Not "Be strong" or "Stay strong," like it's an instruction.
Just "Strong."  

Like it's an identity.  

.....

I'm unlikely to ever get a tattoo, but this is one I'd actually consider, maybe circled with a cross to symbolize "in Christ."  (Simplistic picture below.)  Either way, I plan to post it around my house and at work because I'll need constant reminders to fight for this!  It's a word that has been on my heart lately, and I'm going to pursue it... body, soul, and spirit.

I have wrongly viewed myself as weak in each of these areas for a while now, but I want to embrace the idea of being "clothed in strength and dignity."  I am tired of feeling fragile and focusing too much on my shortcomings and not enough on the power of God that lives inside me!!  And since I have a choice in the matter, I am choosing to believe God and see myself in a new light, empowered by His might to overcome strongholds and conquer new ground.  It will be an uphill battle, to be certain.  But I am determined to push forward and work with the Holy Spirit to redefine myself as a strong woman of God with inner strength of spirit, emotional strength and resilience, and yes, even increasing physical strength!!  

There are so many awesome verses on this topic:

"Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."  ~Joshua 1:9 

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak... those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength."  ~Isaiah 40:29

"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your Word."  ~Psalm 119:28

"The Sovereign LORD is my strength."  ~Habakkuk 3:19

"I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources, He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit."  ~Ephesians 3:16

"LORD, be gracious to us!  We wait for You.  Be our strength every morning and our salvation in time of trouble."  ~Isaiah 33:2

"This is a sacred day before our Lord.  Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!"  ~Nehemiah 8:10

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength!"  ~Mark 12:30

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness."  ~2 Cor. 12:9

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  ~Psalm 46:1

I get really excited any time it feels like God is confirming something... the following is part of a Facebook note Stasi Eldredge posted just yesterday:

"When I talk with younger women there is a burning desire that rises in my heart for them. It is the same one that I have for you, whatever your age may be, and for myself. I want them to be STRONG.   

Strong in faith. 
Strong in spirit.
Strong in their souls.
Strong as their bodies will allow.

I want them to pursue strength more diligently than flawless skin or a perfect figure or the lovely hair de jour. I want them to seek it more passionately than straight A’s or being popular or chosen by others... 

Strength will help us all to stand upright and not fall down when pushed against by the world’s current. It will give us the courage to pursue God and serve Him wholeheartedly...  The kind of strength I am talking about doesn’t roll in on a tray. It is cultivated day by day by a deep and steadfast pursuit of and belief in the King of Kings.

“The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.” ~Isaiah 12:2

We need to pursue strength with our spirits, our souls, and our bodies!  Pursue the heart of our Father with our own.  

I am chasing after Him.  I need God desperately.  Additionally, I’m pushing myself physically this summer because it is all intertwined.  We are body, soul and spirit.  I’m climbing hills.  I’m working out.  I’m cleaning up my food act.  (Well, I am at least, once again, trying to.)  And I’m doing none of it in an effort to become more valuable as a daughter of God or more worthy of his affection.  That is not even possible because He has declared that I already am.  So are you.

For me, being weak in some areas has meant that I am more vulnerable to shame, and when I’m vulnerable to shame, I can too easily succumb to the accusations of the evil one.  I can fall down inside.  And stay down.  And honestly, God is using that too, teaching me about the boundless, endless, fathomless, unconditional love of the Father.  He is using my weakness to draw me to Him.

Because of Him, today, I’m standing up and saying “No” again to the accusation of the enemy and asking for God’s strength to believe that there is nothing I could possibly do to earn more of His love.  I have it.  I can rest in it.  It is because I am so loved that I am choosing to press on where he would have me go and grow.  Or shrink...  I just want HIM. And to be strong in Him.  Don’t you?

...As I walk up, up, up this summer, I will be praying.  With strength.  For increasing strength.

Join me!  #stronggirl

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might."  ~Ephesians 6:10

Song of the Week = Soul on Fire by Third Day