Our Source of Strength

Posted by: L.E.S. on: February 27, 2014

• In: Everyday Life | Faith
• 1 Comment

Besides everyday chores, errands and lessons, my schedule for the week includes options night at one of the high schools my son is considering, preparation for a confirmation meeting and retreat, and the actual meeting and one-day retreat.

It’s the kind of week I almost don’t want to open my planner since every day has some notes scribbled in it.

As I added more activities to the planner, I wondered, “How am I going to have enough energy to get through the week?” I felt drained just thinking about it. And hoped I’d get adequate sleep to help me keep on keeping on.

Whether it’s days packed with business travel, meetings and appointments, our children’s activities, or preparation for a family vacation or a visit from out-of-town relatives, we all have these busy weeks. And so we make plans to keep going:

• We’ll try to get enough rest each night.
• We’ll stick to our workout schedule for stress relief.
• We’ll take vitamins and try to prepare meals in advance so we make good food choices.
• We’ll let some regular chores go for the week and focus on our must-do list.

All of these are great ideas for coping with stress. But do we also think to lean on God?

We need to remember that, just as he knows we worry about meeting our physical needs and he provides for them (see Matthew 6:25-34*), God also knows that we need to draw strength from time spent in his presence:

• reading the Bible;
• praying the rosary—even just one decade;
• going to an early Mass or a service at noon near our home or workplace;
• listening to some worship music; or
• taking a few moments to be still with God.

This morning, I made the time to read the Bible, which I’d missed doing the past few days, and I came across Psalm 59:17:

O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,

for you, O God, are my fortress,

the God who shows me mercy.

And in searching for other passages about being strengthened by God, I found these and other verses on BibleStudyTools.com:

• The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. (Psalm 118:14)
• He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. (Isaiah 40:29)
• I can do all things in him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

I pray that we would remember our best source of strength not only when we are in crisis mode but also when we feel overwhelmed by the hectic pace of life.

I love you, O LORD, my strength.

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer,

my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

~ Psalm 18:1-2

(*Scripture quotes taken from the Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition.)

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Tags: Catholic, Christian, faith, God, overwhelmed, religion, strength, stress