Inner Workout

"I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:19 (The Message)

I have a niece who is 12. My sister, her mom, found out that she had about 8 different myspace personalities. And with each of these personalities, she was a different person. In one, she was a lot older, in another, she was in a different part of the country--the list went on. It's a dangerous game to play, but she doesn't realize this. She just wants to be accepted and loved by her peers.

I know a young woman in church. She just wants to be loved and cherished. But all her life, she has been the victim. She has been victimized and now, to this day, she has--in a sense--victimized herself by herself because she puts off all these protective measures so that people can't get close.

A heart has to go out to these people. I've been there--have you? These are only two out how many in this world that just want to feel loved, cherished, accepted, for who they are. Have you noticed that the more the world takes Jesus and faith out of it's society, the more insecure that people feel?

"I asked him to strengthen you by His Spirit--not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength." What we need to do is exactly this--pray for the Lord to strengthen us inward out. Inner strength goes so much farther than just mere outer, physical strength. Isn't it beautiful the way that The Message puts it?

Please know that those times when you wish that you were someone else. When you feel that you are a total failure and it's no wonder that no one loves you. You're wrong. Someone loves you just as you are. You are just what He wants. You are His child. Turn to that glorious inner strength and plant your two feet firmly on that knowledge.

Don't get me wrong. We are all sinners and have fallen short of the glory of God. And we need to strive to turn from our old sinful ways, humbly ask for forgiveness and serve Him to the best of our ability. The difference is that at times, we look at ourselves with eyes that loath ourselves because we see only the sin. But God, who designed you just the perfect you, sees only that--your perfection.

Take time to strengthen that glorious inner strength. We take time to work out and strengthen our bodies--isn't this more important? How? Once again, the answer is prayer and being in the Word--the Bible. The power of prayer and of the Word is no clique. It is real.