Weak or Strong?

I don’t know how many of you caught the Gabby Gifford’s special broadcast last week or so (I seem to have lost track of time a bit as the days run together)

Anyway, it was very inspiring on many levels. At one point she and her husband, Mark Kellly were being interviewed and she was asked how she was doing, she replied “pretty good”...then a few seconds later with her signature fist swing she added, “strong, strong, strong!”

It was a powerful and touching moment, as this women who had escaped death and was fighting her way back from a myriad of physical effects associated with her brain injury, proclaimed herself as strong.

Gabby may be small in stature, but she is big in courage and hope. ( that must be why her book is called A Story of Courage and Hope..:)

I have felt WEAK this past week ( no pun intended) physically, as the anti-cancer drug races through my system, it feels like a roller coaster ride in my very being. Nausea and her host of nasty friends come to visit and make it hard to get off the ride!

I consider others who have gone through far worse treatment in their battle against cancer and I exclaim, “I don’t know how they did it! 

Like one person said, ”It’s like having a case of the flu for a year.”

I applaud you ..seriously!

But I AM WEAK! I admit it. I hate feeling sick. In such a moment of proclamation,  a verse came floating back to me: 

“But I am poor and needy;

Yet the LORD thinks upon me.”

 Ps. 40:17

And thus, I was so encouraged!

I AM POOR AND NEEDY (and really insignificant in this world of 7 billion people,)

BUT the Lord - the God of this vast universe .....thinks upon me.

Amazing.

Why would He? Why does He?

I honestly have no answer,  I mean, I know the theological answers: He loves me (understatement), He is faithful to those that are HIS, (indeed) He does so, for His name’s sake ( He is GOD!)

I just know that daily He hears my every minor cry, He answers somehow when I call, He picks me up when I am weak, and gives me strength to keep going.

So all you weaklings, c’mon!
Shout it out with me ” I am weak!!” and when you do, realize you are in good company!

Listen to the apostle Paul concerning his bodily affliction:

“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor. 12:7-10

And then look at what God has promised us!:

“He gives power to the weak,

And to those who have no might He increases strength.” Isaiah 40:29

A song came to my attention last week (surprise!) It has become my theme song for right now. I just love it and am so en-courage-d by the words

Here are the lyrics and below is a link - you simply must listen!

It’s true--fear is a lie!

Strong Enough to Save

by Tenth Avenue North

You fought 

but you were just too weak 

so you lost 

all the things you try to keep 

now you're on your knees, you're on your knees 

But wait, 

everything can change, 

in a moment’s time, you don't have to be afraid, 

Cause fear is just a lie 

open up your eyes 

And He'll break 

open the sky to save 

those who cry out His name 

the One the wind and waves obey 

He's strong enough to save you 

Look 

now is not too late 

lift up your head 

let the rain fall on your face 

you’re not far from grace, your not too far from grace 

And He'll break 

open the sky to save 

those who cry out His name 

The One the winds and the waves obey

is strong enough to save you 

I know the weight of this world can take you down like gravity

And I know the current of yourself can take you out, out to sea

But hold on, hold on 

And he'll break 

open the sky to save 

those who cry out His name 

the One the wind and the waves obey

is strong enough to save you

To listen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8gsTLF9pL4

*As for me, I am just daily taking the medicine and waiting for Jesus!

 I have another PET /CT scan on Dec. 16th..

“Let the weak say, “I am strong..” Joel 3:10

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil 4:13