Real Strength

When I imagine a picture of a strong woman, this is usually what I come up with:
 
Or maybe this:
Either way, this woman has definitely had time to shower, comes across calm and together, and makes time to stay physically fit.
My picture is usually not this:
But the longer I'm alive, the more convinced I am that this is where real strength lies:
Complete dependence.
Not on yourself.
Not on others.
But on Him.
We don't have it in us. Others don't have it in them. The only safe place for the depths of our sorrows, pain, burdens, and joys is in His arms.

I love this verse in Jeremiah: (verses 7-8)

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."



Oh, how I long to be a tree planted by the water, continuously gaining healthy nourishment from the Source. I think it's interesting that is says "that sends its roots by the stream"--as if a tree could send its roots somewhere else. As if maybe the tree would send its roots to another tree to gain water.

As if we could send our roots out to an errant source. But we can, and we do. At least I do. I look to others' approval of me, my own evaluation of myself, possessions, accomplishments, etc. when only Jesus can provide real water for my soul.

Today, I'd like to be strong in trust, casting all my cares on Him because He cares for me. Then I can say with confidence that I'm strong. Not because everything is going according to plan, but because I'm holding the strong hand of Jesus through whatever comes.

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