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The hurts of life can easily lead to hard shells when we put up walls of human strength.

These walls, while giving the appearance of strength, can lead to loneliness and feelings of despair.

I challenge you today to tear down any walls that keep the world out of your pain.

Don’t be afraid to tell a friend,

“I’m struggling.  I can’t do life on my own”

When the treasures of life are stored in weak, every-day kind-of jars,

people begin to see that our strength comes from something bigger than us.

When we allow God to carry us,

our steps are lighter even though are hearts may be heavy.

When we let go of the desire to “have everything under control,”

God suddenly steps in and says, “I’ve got it all under control.”

I love that God works in upside-down ways.

He strengthens the weak.

He gives rest to the weary.

He comforts the hurting.

He uses the broken.

He calls the imperfect.

How do we show the world the strength that comes from God???

Believe it or not,

we show God’s strength by exposing our own frailty.

We show God’s glory by not needing our own.

God uses us the most when we have the least to offer.

If you’re feeling somewhat broken, weak, or discouraged,

be encouraged;

Someone is going to see God in you today.

If you long to feel empowered,

allow God to be the source of all your strength.

He loves to store His treasures in weak, every-day kind-of jars.

But we have this treasure in jars of

clay to show that this all-surpassing

power is from God and not from us.

We are hard pressed on every side,

but not crushed;

perplexed,but not in despair;

 persecuted, but not abandoned;

struck down, but not destroyed.

II Cor. 4:7-9