Vulnerable Strength

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1 KJV)

Ya know, I was reading this verse last night before I went to bed and it hit me the two words He specifically placed in this verse...
  

REFUGE

 and 

STRENGTH

I looked up the definition of refuge some could understand it better.  Refuge means "anything to which one has recourse for aid, relief, or escape".  I don't know if you are like me, but I try to constantly be strong.  Throughout any hardship in my life, I try to stay strong for those around me (even if that means becoming a hermit until I have gotten over it). I don't like breaking down.  However, sometimes those hardships are just too much to take, and that's why I like this word "refuge".  

God can be our relief for a bit if we simply let Him.  For me, this involves an afternoon of listening to sad songs, cleaning out my closet of things I'll never wear but reminiscing on when I did, and bawling my eyes out for a few hours.  But this is OK.  If we rely on our own strength to get through the situation, then we really aren't handing it over to God.  I believe with all my heart that sometimes He wants you to be vulnerable so He can show you something magical at your weakest moment.  This magic is His overwhelming strength.

God's strength.  Think about how awesome that has got to be!  The One who created the universe wants to pick you up off the tear-moistened carpet and become the strength you need to pick up your bags and head onward in your amazing journey.  I don't know about you, but I want more than anything in this world to be held by His big 'ol arms, wrapped so tight that I can't feel the pain of the world any longer.  When we have the faith to grab Him, He will use us in spectacular ways!

I encourage you today to become vulnerable to Him.  Allow yourself to become weak in your own might, so that He can incur His strength into you.

Holding on tight,

Elizabeth