The world will break everyone at some point, yet it is at those broken places, where some of us emerge stronger. We all go through life dealing with our own issues, with our own heartbreak, our own disappointments. But rather than feeling sorry for ourselves, victimizing and falling down, we should use these struggles to develop our strength and decide to not surrender. And I think it is clear, I do not speak of physical strength, but emotional. It is strength of character that translates into the ability to overcome hardship and resentment, hide our pain and forgive others. I know these situations can be overwhelming and draining to our souls and minds, and it has been for me. But after spending time with God, I have found a renewed sense of strength, as if He has injected me with His energy and passion. I have learned that strength is being able to let go and not hold on, making a decision to grow from the hardships we endure, and being a better person in the end. I know that I only have power over my mind and not anything else, so I should focus on mastering that above all else. I said on my last post that we must find a balance between strength within us and gentleness with others. And what I mean by that is simply that, gentleness is really the ultimate sign of strength. It is not being cruel, or merciless that defines and shows strength; that is too easy. It is being gentle with those who have hurt you, that have done you wrong, that truly shows a man’s strength at his core.
I read a great analogy a few days ago and got me thinking. It said, “Scar tissue is stronger than regular tissue. Realize the strength, move on”. We always seem to think that hardship cannot be overcome, or that one cannot get over situations such as this one. But I choose to look at it as an injury, as the quote above. Just as if you were able to heal an injury, after overcoming an emotional hardship, a relationship should be stronger, should have a better foundation; just like scar tissue. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, I don’t know what is going to happen, but I have regained my strength, something I hadn’t done up to this point. I am now able to look at the world, and my life, in a positive way and in an optimistic way. You could say I now live in a best case scenario world, which in turn gives me a better outlook on life. Some might say that this is not the correct way to go about it, that I am just setting myself up to being hurt again, that I should protect myself above all. But when I think about it, could it really get any worse? Could I really get any lower than where I was? I honestly don’t think so, and although I am doing better and the worst case scenario would be devastating, can one ever really truly prepare himself for it? I don’t think so, and in expecting the worse, all I do is act negative and portray that in my life. It has taken a while for me to regain my strength, but I have. The prophet Isaiah said, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint". I feel as if this is me now, as if I have received the strength, patience and wisdom that I have been asking God for all this time. I know I will still make mistakes and above all, I will follow my heart. But I can’t be afraid of it; I can’t be closed to it. God’s strength shines in times of weakness; it is the reason He sends it to us, and me, in journeys such as the one I am on. He not only tests our faith, but our strength as well, our resilience and belief that He will take care of us.
I feel that it is important to believe in something, whatever you want, so strongly, that you’re never discouraged, that you never lose faith. But we have to be honest; with those we love and with ourselves, as it is honesty, not insincerity that shows a man’s true strength, true gentleness. I like to think of strength and courage as siblings, in a way. It is the love that we hope to receive from someone that gives us strength to love and to move forward; yet it is the love we have for those close to us that gives us the courage to accept love. I choose to be a man who cherishes a challenge and draws strength from distress, a strength which grows in reflection and is open to change. I chose to walk through hell with a smile on my face; strength is nothing more than a will; a will to not let anything stand between you and your happiness; your pursuit of happiness. We must not assume that fairness is on the side of the strong, as the world itself is never fair, but we need to understand that patience feeds strength, and impatience weakness. Calm and open debate, healthy debate is what we need, my wife and I need to communicate if anything will ever be repaired; we both have to find our inner strength that will show the gentleness in our hearts. Find your passion, as it is exactly that which will be your strength of the future. Always remember that God gives us strength for the sole purpose of avoiding the temptations to surrender.
I read a great analogy a few days ago and got me thinking. It said, “Scar tissue is stronger than regular tissue. Realize the strength, move on”. We always seem to think that hardship cannot be overcome, or that one cannot get over situations such as this one. But I choose to look at it as an injury, as the quote above. Just as if you were able to heal an injury, after overcoming an emotional hardship, a relationship should be stronger, should have a better foundation; just like scar tissue. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, I don’t know what is going to happen, but I have regained my strength, something I hadn’t done up to this point. I am now able to look at the world, and my life, in a positive way and in an optimistic way. You could say I now live in a best case scenario world, which in turn gives me a better outlook on life. Some might say that this is not the correct way to go about it, that I am just setting myself up to being hurt again, that I should protect myself above all. But when I think about it, could it really get any worse? Could I really get any lower than where I was? I honestly don’t think so, and although I am doing better and the worst case scenario would be devastating, can one ever really truly prepare himself for it? I don’t think so, and in expecting the worse, all I do is act negative and portray that in my life. It has taken a while for me to regain my strength, but I have. The prophet Isaiah said, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint". I feel as if this is me now, as if I have received the strength, patience and wisdom that I have been asking God for all this time. I know I will still make mistakes and above all, I will follow my heart. But I can’t be afraid of it; I can’t be closed to it. God’s strength shines in times of weakness; it is the reason He sends it to us, and me, in journeys such as the one I am on. He not only tests our faith, but our strength as well, our resilience and belief that He will take care of us.
I feel that it is important to believe in something, whatever you want, so strongly, that you’re never discouraged, that you never lose faith. But we have to be honest; with those we love and with ourselves, as it is honesty, not insincerity that shows a man’s true strength, true gentleness. I like to think of strength and courage as siblings, in a way. It is the love that we hope to receive from someone that gives us strength to love and to move forward; yet it is the love we have for those close to us that gives us the courage to accept love. I choose to be a man who cherishes a challenge and draws strength from distress, a strength which grows in reflection and is open to change. I chose to walk through hell with a smile on my face; strength is nothing more than a will; a will to not let anything stand between you and your happiness; your pursuit of happiness. We must not assume that fairness is on the side of the strong, as the world itself is never fair, but we need to understand that patience feeds strength, and impatience weakness. Calm and open debate, healthy debate is what we need, my wife and I need to communicate if anything will ever be repaired; we both have to find our inner strength that will show the gentleness in our hearts. Find your passion, as it is exactly that which will be your strength of the future. Always remember that God gives us strength for the sole purpose of avoiding the temptations to surrender.
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