When I was a kid one of my favorite Saturday morning cartoons was Popeye the Sailor Man. Do you remember what made him strong? Of course, it was the spinach! That cartoon had to have been crafted by a mom trying to find a clever way to get her kids to like spinach…and eat it!!

How about the Bible character Samson? Remember the link to his strength? We might shorten the story by saying he was strong because he never cut his hair. But his strength wasn’t really in his long locks. His strength was a result of God’s blessing on him as he took his vows to follow God seriously with an outward sign of never cutting his hair. You can read the story of Samson in Judges 13.

We might consider a strong person one who can lift a lot of weights in the gym or one who can hike up a massive mountain. But strength is not only measured by our physical muscle capabilities. Some of the strongest people I’ve known in my life are not mountain climbers, weightlifters or even daily workout champions. The true strength of a person can also be measured by what is on the inside. The one who can withstand the many attacks of an often unpredictable, ever ruthless enemy. The one who has the strength to stand when the cacophony of voices keep saying… we are not good enough, rich enough, pretty enough, smart enough. But, hear this truth from our Father in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” ALL THINGS. You and I can face enormous attacks and subtle attacks because we will never face them alone. Because Jesus Christ is the One inside us who makes us able to walk through every situation that seems bigger than us. Because HE is bigger than every situation.

What does God say about you? You are strong.