Today's scripture is one that popped right out of me. Maybe I was intrigued as soon as I noticed the word "strength." But verse 10 in Proverbs 24:10 almost seems to affirm the world's view of strength, that it's not OK to stumble, that it's weak to fail.
If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!
I would like to take another perspective of this verse. Do you know anyone who struggles with addiction? Do you know how many temptations they face in a day? An hour? The ticking seconds in a minute?
It's important to remember not everyone's trouble looks the same. So putting it in perspective further means that if I'm only faced with a temptation once a week but overcome only every other time while my sister faces six temptations a day and overcomes five of them, who is stronger?
When faced with a barrage of temptations, how often do YOU succumb? I think we need to celebrate each victory, for each time we turn away from that which can harm us, how strong we are indeed! And we need to focus on our own celebrations without comparing or criticizing our sisters in their battles.
God wants us to get to a point where we don't falter, because we have learned to lean on Him. Will we succeed every time? No, because we are human! Will we grow our faith and be transformed when we seek Him with our whole heart? You bet!
But look at the next two verses:
Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?
I actually like the Message version even more, Proverbs 24:11-12
Rescue the perishing; don’t hesitate to step in and help. If you say, “Hey, that’s none of my business,” will that get you off the hook? Someone is watching you closely, you know—Someone not impressed with weak excuses.
I think what impresses me most about teen girls is that they see the struggle of their peer group and — even when they themselves are facing serious battles — they desire to pull their sisters from despair. They so wholeheartedly seek to help each other, and they are begging for more to join them! They want us to come alongside them in this effort to overcome the damage done by low and negative self image.
So, here's my challenge to you today. Find a way to get involved with the work of Mighty Strong Girls. Many women and girls of all ages will be needed to fight this battle. Can we count on you to help? Or will you stand on the sidelines and know what our girls are facing and yet make excuses for not getting involved?
God is calling us. Girls are asking for this. The time is now, and the work is plenty.
{stepping up in faith}
Amy
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