Do you know what defines strength?
There are a variety of ways that we could say someone is strong.
Physical strength is generally desirable. It's always nice to have someone around to lift a couch or washer. I'm usually the go-to person for that. Or not. But hey I do some push-ups. I carry around a very big cat who believes himself to be my third child.
Mental strength is admirable. Focus, determination, clarity, drive are all forms of mental strength. Incidentally, those with excessive physical strength usually have a good dose of mental strength.
Spiritual strength is one that is often less admired or sought but it is one that I probably most appreciate. I so admire those given eyes to see the Lord's Christ. Those whose hearts are tender enough to receive Him.
Emotional strength is the cornerstone. The foundation that life rests upon. Here is where the strength lies to do all the rest. Your emotional center. It is teeming with activity from about age 4 seconds. Anyone who has given birth to a living child knows that. That new baby is not having it. It has not been a pleasant journey to arrive here and now he's being plopped here and there naked as can be while being poked and seemingly manhandled. This stinks. And he is mad.
Emotions. Think for a minute how much emotion might go into your day. You likely will experience a feeling of love from a pet, a spouse, a child, a mother, a friend. You will experience pleasure by eating, seeing a text, getting through a green light. You will probably experience anger or frustration at least once from traffic, work stress, or unexpected news. Just a regular run-of-the-mill day will have a variety of emotions. Even if you are not fully tapped in or engaged, meaning you are not experiencing them in a deep and very conscious way.
In my mothering journey I am dealing with emotions in a very heightened way right now. My sons are fully engaging in stretching to independence. Understanding the concept that I am not my parent. I am an individual. I have my own thoughts and my own feelings. About everything. Even, and maybe especially, about faith.
Angela has a large pile of emotions. Just so many feelers are out there and involved. I care about a lot of people and a lot of things. I don't necessarily need competitors, but I have two strapping young bucks entering this arena. I am praying for so much wisdom. Today in worship we sang a favorite song of mine - Lord, I need you. With a room full of people singing out, asking, begging for God to be close, I felt such peace. God is close. He is near. He is the giver of emotion. He is the giver of wisdom. And He is near. He is near to those with broken hearts and broken bodies. He is near to the young and to the old.
Emotional strength. It's so important. I think it eludes many. Let's be clear. Emotional strength has little to do with crying. It is the ability to engage and process the feelings that come with life and experiences. Even if you are not an "emotional person," you will attach a feeling to the things you experience. I think we often miss the importance of processing. You must process the emotions of your experiences. Don't bury that stuff. Big or small. It's detrimental.
I'm working through this with my babies who are entering phase one of teenage life. I will give my best efforts here. Where it matters. Within the hearts of my boys.
It wasn't so long ago that they were 4 seconds of age. It just was. Yesterday. And soon it will be tomorrow and they will let go of my hands forever.
Friends, think about those emotions. Bring out and dust off those feelings. Don't let them eat away your life. You just have the one.
Be strong.
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