True Strength
by Tanya Person
Every so often I get a manicure, normally when I visit my mom, as it is something we enjoy doing together. Not being a person who spends much time caring for my nails, I like to get a gel manicure because it lasts longer, and the gel polish helps my nails feel strong. They normally last about three weeks before the polish starts wearing off. That’s when the problems start. My nails are very brittle and break easily once the polish wears off. Then I have to treat my nails with products designed to strengthen the nail. As I was applying that product recently, I suddenly saw a spiritual truth in this.
Often, we want to look good and spiritual and we put on a mask or a false covering. We want people to admire us and think we are strong and spiritual. This mask can look good for a while, but after time it starts to wear off because it isn’t the protection God has designed for us. It may seem beautiful and helpful, but when it comes off, we’re weaker underneath, because the mask or false covering keeps us from receiving what God really has for us.
The truth is that God wants to change us from the inside out. We need to allow God to apply the oil of the Holy Spirit in the areas of our weakness. Through this, He makes us strong. That strength is not one that’s false and comes off, rather it permeates and changes us to become strong. When this happens, the image that we present to others is who we really are, from the inside out. This image is a reflection of God, when we’re allowing Him to work in our lives.
As our verse for today says, we need to find our strength in the Lord. In what areas of our lives are we using things other than the Lord to make us feel or look strong? Let’s ask the Lord to reveal them to us and let’s repent and turn to God. Let’s allow Him to change us so we can be strong in Him.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You can use simple things in our lives to speak truth to us. Forgive me for the times I’ve tried to make myself strong and look good in areas where I’m weak, rather than looking to You to be my strength. God, I want the oil of Your Holy Spirit to permeate every part of my being so I can be strong in Your strength. Amen.
Tanya Person Tanya and her husband, Jim, were missionaries to Hungary for over 18 years. They have worked with Ellel since 2005. After serving in various positions with Ellel in Central and Eastern Europe, God led them back to the United States, where they are now serving with the Ellel USA team. They have a passion to see leaders restored, the church discipled and walking in God’s fullness of life and freedom, and for mentoring the existing and developing team. Tanya also enjoys crocheting and knitting in her free time and has written some children’s picture books.
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