One of the number one things men desire is strength. Have you ever gone down the “nutrition aisle” in a store? If you have, you know that the majority of the products are supplements designed (or at least marketed as such) to make one stronger. Whey protein, creatine, protein bars, and more are sold in giant containers at high prices, and many of us drop significant sums of money in an attempt to grow stronger. From the time we were young boys we’ve been taught that to be a man is to be strong. This not only means that we are to develop physical strength, but emotional strength as well. We are taught that showing emotion is a weakness, especially sadness (after all, big boys don’t cry). As men we’ve had it drilled into our heads that strength lies within, and that a major sign of weakness is that relying on someone else. That’s why we tend to never ask for directions, and why we would rather damage our vehicle then sink to the depths of going to a mechanic.
More and more men I know are walking away from church, or never even approaching God, because they see faith as a form of weakness. They reason they don’t need God in their lives because they can handle things themselves, just like they can handle every other issue in life. Even many Christian men I know still rely on their own strength and abilities rather then trusting God. We are simply so fixated on this idea that we have to develop our own strength. But, here is the reality: real strength, strength greater then even the World’s Strongest Man can imagine, comes only from God. I would argue that the the greatest strength comes not from doing everything on your own, but from admitting you can’t and getting your strength from God.
But God tell us: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
See, we are never strong enough to face the struggles of this world. Even the strongest man will eventually die. The most emotional hardened of us will eventually suffer loss and struggles that bring us to our knees. Those are the facts of life. The only source of strength that can conquer death and propel us through the greatest of difficulties is the strength that comes from God. Not only is it ok to lean on God, it is by far the best way to get through the difficulties of life. I want to encourage all of us to stop trying to go through the difficulties of our lives by ourselves, and instead turn to God for strength. Take strength from prayer, from His Word, from worship, and from other believers. Allow God to power you through this life and into the glory of His Kingdom.
