To all those who made New Year’s Resolutions, I hope they are going well. Personally, I decided not to make any resolutions this year because honestly, I needed to do something deeper and more meaningful than to say I was going to lose weight or spend less money. I needed more than a resolution, I needed a reSOULution.
I need some soul food! Have you ever had a time in your life when you felt like you were operating in survival mode? Welcome to my life last year.
I knew things had to change. My soul felt dry like a parched desert in need of a good rain to bring it back to life. After a year full of emotions that were all over the place due to life’s circumstances, including the death of my momma, I decided to make a New Year’s ReSOULution.
Over the past year my spiritual life had become a hodgepodge of half-read devotionals, unfinished blog posts, unspoken prayers, and stifled growth. I admit there were some days I didn’t even pray or read. You would think when in a crisis mode I would have prayed more, but I didn’t.
My soul was drained. I felt like a toothpaste tube that had been rolled and re-squeezed numerous times to get out every last drop. I didn’t even understand how I was surviving until a good friend of mine called to tell me she was praying. It was at that moment I knew how God was sustaining me. People were praying for me. Prayer has always been a huge part of my life, but now I was in a season of drought and others were watering my soul.
For the first time in my life I knew, felt and experienced to the full what it was like to have other people praying for me. Don’t get me wrong, I know people have prayed for me in the past, but this was different. People were doing something for me that I couldn’t do for myself. Have you ever been in a similar situation?
Isn’t it funny how no one ever wants to come across as needy? However, there are times we all are in desperate need of help. The world tries to make us view weakness as a bad thing, but If I’ve learned anything, it is when we are weak God shows up in a big way. Instead of fighting my weakness I had to learn to use and accept it, so the power of Christ could work in me.
Paul begged for God to take away the thorn in his flesh three times, but God had a different answer than the one Paul originally wanted: 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 (NLT) “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
I wish I could say I’m like Paul and take pleasure in my weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and troubles, but I don’t. It is hard not to be defensive in our flesh when the world is flinging garbage at us, but Jesus is my best defense. This is where my New Year’s ReSOULution comes into play. This year my heart’s desire is to focus on taking my weaknesses and turning them into strengths that will help and encourage others to do the same. Do you have weaknesses to share so the power of Christ can work through you too?
Trust me, I prayed for my thorn to be taken away too, but then I read these words: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” The world teaches us that being weak means you’ll end up covered in footprints from being walked all over, but Paul teaches us that our weakness is the perfect platform for the power of Christ to be demonstrated through us. Being weak is being powerful. Being independent from the world shows our strength and our dependence on Christ. God redeems anyone choosing eternal life. No matter the trials we face, His grace is truly enough!
We’s love to hear from you in the comments below!
Sheila Schweiger-Rhodes is an author, speaker, blogger and the founder of JesusGlitter.com where she encourages others to look for Jesus in the everyday moments of life and "Be the Sparkle!" Sheila has been described as deeply passionate, profoundly uplifting and completely authentic. Her passion is to share the message of God's redeeming love and offer the encouragement, love and hope to those who have been wounded by life. Sheila resides in Maryland with her husband Dave. Together they have formed a blended family of four adult children and three grandchildren.
What a beautiful story of seeing God’s goodness in the midst of a difficult year. What a gift to see God’s strength for you through the prayers of your friends.
God’s strength is all we need. I am thankful for the prayers of friends, grace, and mercy I am given every day to fight against the troubles of this world. God has given us so many gifts!
Beautifully said. It is in the valley that we grow and the mountain top where we can be refreshed. That you were refreshed in that valley life put you in, is up-lifting to hear. Thanks for sharing your painful, beautiful experience.
Thank You for your encouraging words. We never appreciate the mountain top until we know what it is like to be in a valley for sure! At the moment, I am appreciating the view!
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions–those are silly and never last. I do brainstorm solutions to problems and goals I’d like to accomplish–and then I create a plan of action. I can do this at any time of the year or whenever I feel the need for change–why wait for the new year!
And yes, I’ve been carried by prayer many times–most notably when my husband had cancer.
I agree! ReSOULutions can be done throughout the year whenever or wherever God leads us. The power of prayer for one another carries and comforts us through the many trials of life. Thanks for your insights!