The Strength To Stretch

“They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.  They shall soar high on wings like eagles.  They shall run and not be weary.  They shall walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

Notes for Contemplation as You Use this Devotional:

• This passage from the Prophet Isaiah, sometimes titled “God’s Assurance of Comfort,” reminds us that God that is the source of our strength, stamina, and resilience. Therefore, we’re encouraged to “wait for” God, which means tuning into divine guidance and intuition.
• Prophets are God’s messengers. When a prophet appears, we’re invited to expand our understanding and experience life differently. A true prophet may advise that you move beyond your comfort zone or attempt something new, but they won’t encourage you to harm yourself or others.
• Spiritual, or inner, strength sustains you no matter what’s occurring in your life. It’s your capacity to accomplish tasks, overcome obstacles, and persevere despite challenges.
• Resilience is your ability to rebound and recover. When you’re resilient, you’re buoyant.Not only can you spring back from loss or misfortune, but you can stretch yourself and grow beyond previous limitations.
• Characteristics of resilience include being:
  • Dedicated to a purpose.
  • Creative, imaginative, and intuitive.
  • Flexible in thought and behavior.
  • Open to examining assumptions.
  • Willing to face failure head-on, getting emotional and mental health support when needed.
  • Accepting of change and acknowledging the truth of situations, even when they’re upsetting.
  • Courageous, even when fearful.
  • Able to recognize feelings, whether positive or negative, to let them be divine messengers.
  • Discerning about best choices for future well-being, based on current information.
  • Engaged in loving, encouraging relationships.
• Many psychologists assert that people often underestimate their inner strength, so they don’t appreciate how resilient they are. These psychologists also say that you don’t need to feel as bad about a failure or difficulty as you might. So, you can turn seeming stumbling blocks into stepping stones.
• Demonstration is the evidence you can see of what is or isn’t working in your life. You demonstrate resilience when you’re willing to move beyond your past and transform your behavior. For example, success in a new job means not only leaving your old job behind, but also in learning from any errors which caused you to get fired.  So, you don’t use precious energy and time bad-mouthing the employer or condemning yourself.  You use them to be the best employee you can be as you are, where you are, now.

Contemplation Questions:

As you reflect on your life and circumstances, ask yourself:

• What setbacks, losses, failures, and/or challenges do I want to overcome?
  • List, word map, or illustrate whatever they are.

• When I consider what I want to overcome, how am I minimizing my inner strength and resilience?
  • List, word map, or illustrate whatever you’ve minimized.

• When I contemplate the characteristics of resilience, which are already true about me?
  • List, word map, or illustrate the characteristics, detailing how you’re living them now.

• When I contemplate the characteristics of resilience, which can I improve?
  • List, word map, or illustrate the characteristics, detailing how you can express them more fully.

• What are at least three (3) ways, I can nurture my resilience?
  • List, word map, or illustrate as much as you can imagine.

Use this devotional anytime you want to deepen your spiritual strength or rebound from challenges.  Remember: Your strength is within you, not in external solutions or outer advice.  As you become more resilient, you don’t just endure; you thrive.

No matter what you may be experiencing now, know that you are one of God’s divine beloveds.  Trust your intuition to guide you.  Nurture your inner strength and wisdom.  Affirm: “I am strong and resilient.  I trust the presence and power of God, always with me and within me, as I overcome obstacles and reach new heights.”

© 2023 – Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks – All rights reserved.

Photo by Joshua Small from Shutterstock.