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Finding Strength in Weakness

by Erin Diesel

I think it's safe to say that we have all heard the saying, "That which does not kill you can only make you stronger." This "philosophy" has been preached to me since my childhood.

I heard it when I skinned my knee learning to ride my bike; when I realized that my guinea pig died because I repeatedly forgot to feed it; and when I was rejected from the Spark's Travel Girl's Fast pitch Softball Team.

Obviously none of these seemingly tragic incidents were the death of me. In fact, after years of physical and emotional bruises, my character is seemingly ironclad. Although that saying has been my motto for my whole, whopping seventeen years of life, I would be lying if I told you that I constantly believed in that saying.

I go through many periods of hating that saying. There are many instances where life pushes you down, then laughs in your face. At those times, it feels good to wallow in self-pity and doubt. Yes, I agree that mourning is healthy, but if you don't get back up, dust yourself off and laugh right back in life's ugly face, who will?

Life's Heavy Load

Perhaps the hardest part of life's "weights" -- be they bad grades, rejection, a break-up, or death -- is knowing that the entire world continues revolving as you are stuck in a rut.

It is at these times that the world seems horridly unfair. You wonder how everyone continues on living life, while you feel as though there is little life left to live. Don't they notice you are suffering? Do they even care? Life just pushes you down every time you try to get back up.

The band Phish wrote, "Things are falling down on me, heavy things I could not see. When I finally came around something small would pin me down."

Recently I've realized that one of life's favorite games to play is, "How much weight and hardship can you carry at once?" Life just loves to throw an abundance of bad things my way at the same time. And it is at these moments when I, like you, feel overwhelmingly weak and helpless.

Yet it is precisely at these moments I remember the best advice I have ever received. My mom once told me, "God never gives you more than you can handle." Well, that's a relief! So -- I can handle this weight, eh? Oh yeah! I forgot that we, like Jesus have a cross to carry.

The Crosses We Bear

The fact is, we don't carry just one cross -- we carry many. We carry a cross during every trial, defeat, persecution and death in our life. I've noticed that with every cross I carry, I actually do become stronger.

I may not agree with life's circumstances. However, is this saying not true: "God's will be done"? Unfortunately, God's will and my will do not necessarily coincide.

I agree that it is very difficult to come to terms with the fact that yes, God's will is first and foremost. If we always knew what was best for us and the world around us, would there be any beauty in God? We are humans, thus we are not perfect and never will be. But we come closer to perfection by relying on God to help us overcome obstacles.

Building Spiritual Strength

God's love is unconditional and he does everything he does for a reason. It helps to consider the possibility that the crosses we must carry may have been given to us for a greater purpose. And here's a little something else to remember: "God never gives you more than you can handle."

Many times I've felt as if the cross I carried would kill me. I've felt unable to cope with the hardships that God places upon my back. Yet every time I make my sacrifice and finish carrying my cross, I am overwhelmed with a feeling of joy, gratitude and confidence.

No, my cross did not kill me, and yes, it did make me stronger. Bear your cross with optimism and trust knowing that one day, you too will be stronger.

Life Applications:

Do you consider yourself a strong person? Why or why not?
What are some crosses you've had to bear?
Do you think that hardships happen for a reason? Explain.

Copyright 2002 by Erin Diesel
All rights reserved.