Strength: The Power Within

The true definition of strength is:

• The quality or state of being physically strong
• Having the ability to resist being moved or broken by a force
• The quality that allows someone to deal with problems in a determined and effective way

These definitions display the obvious meaning of strength but there are deeper and greater aspects to the definition of strength that should accompany those definitions… and they are all related to inner strength.

We display different kinds of strength every single day which can never be measured fully.  We’ve all experienced tribulations in our lives or had some kind of wake up call.  These circumstances force us to find the courage to overcome.  What may be perceived as an act of strength to us and a contribution to progression in our own lives may not be seen that way through the eyes of someone else.  There is no courage without strength or faith!

We show many acts of strengths throughout our lives that we may not even realise are acts of strength. But through the eyes of others they may just be that.  The person standing next to you may be battling at that very moment and your show of strength will enable them to break through.   The reserved woman with the judgmental and imposing mother-in-law whose self-love and self-confidence is eroded, may note your outspokenness and assertiveness and garner the strength to overcome her fears.  The young boy with the overbearing father, who is not given the chance to explore his own aspirations, may see your ability to communicate and express yourself clearly with your own father as a strength and give him hope to emulate you.

It must be noted that when we compare our strengths and progress in life to others, there is a chance that we will put unnecessary pressure on ourselves. We tend to forget that we are all faced with different challenges and need to utilise our own strengths to overcome them.   These personal strengths will either be enhanced or developed over a period of time.  But sometimes we just don’t have the necessary strengths at all.  We mustn’t confuse this with weakness.  We attract just the right people into our lives and they compensate where we are lacking.  In the same way, we compensate what they are lacking.

As unique individuals, we need to applaud and appreciate ourselves for the strength we display on a daily basis.  We possess strengths that others can only wish to have and for this we need to be proud of ourselves.  This doesn’t make us superior to anyone, it just means that we have inner strength and we can get through whatever God brings into our path.  The Lord never gives us that which we are unable to deal with.  If we feel that we may be lacking a certain strength, we must just be patient and know that the right person will arrive when the time is right for that strength to make its presence known.

• When you’re ready: you will face your fear
• When you notice strength around you: you know you’re strong too and no one can take it away from you.
• When you’re feeling weak: you’ve had to be so strong to get through all and be who you are today…smile!
• When you’re comparing your strengths to another: remind yourself that your life and struggles are nowhere near the others (WE ARE ALL UNIQUE)… theirs are nowhere near yours too!
• When it’s over and done and you feel you didn’t give enough: get up and allow yourself to try again and know that you’ve always done your best during hard times…AND GO ON WITH YOUR LIFE!

You are stronger than you think you are, you know more than you think you do and you are special in your own amazing way.  So appreciate yourself regardless of what others may say.  Your strength has helped you and someone else in this lifetime!

We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face… we must do that which we think we cannot – Eleanor Roosevelt

Words: Yvonne Busisiwe Kgame