So a little while ago I was reading through some really old Facebook messages. In one of them, I was told that I was the strongest person to the person I was talking to. I thought, "That's interesting. To this person, my strength is valuable. So what makes up my strength?" I couldn't completely figure it out (obviously) because I'm not them, and I can't read minds. But I got a general idea on my strong and weak points of my personality.
I got curious as to what people's opinions on what internal strength is. So I asked a couple friends. One of them thought that it was the ability to be consistent or even excel in times of heightened stress. In that case, I guess I'm pretty strong. I have a pretty hectic life, and it always somehow works out. But I don't really think that internal strength is just simply being able to handle millions of things at once. There must be more to it.
I asked another friend. They thought that it was the ability to come out of anything with their head held high. I gave it some thought, and I think that it's an add on to the previous point. If you can handle lots of stuff, that doesn't mean that you will come out of it looking victorious. You could finish a race looking defeated. So I thought, yeah, its a good answer. But can we go deeper? (Inception BWAAAA)
The same person who gave the previous answer added that you must have passion and purpose to have strength. I didn't really get it at first, so I though how it applied to me. Do I have passion? Yeah, music. So I have purpose? Sure, my purpose is to pass on my passion. So how does having these two items make a person stronger? I guess the answer is sort of within the question itself. By having a goal (purpose), and a passion for it, you create yourself a determination to finish things, to accomplish, to create, to dream, and to inspire.
I asked of yet another opinion. This person said that strength was discipline. I completely agree. I kind of watch in envy of those people who can do stuff immediately, get things done, the ambitious people who achieve great things because of their practiced discipline. I may have a little, but there are certainly people I look up to for their discipline.
I got one more opinion. This person said that strength was the ability to know what is more important, and give up things for others. I thought this was more of wisdom rather than strength, but after giving it a little thought, I figured that in order to have wisdom, you need to have strength. On more than one occasion in your life, you will need to sacrifice something. It takes wisdom to know what to give up, and it takes strength and courage to actually give it up.
This person also said that strength was being able to do things that scare you. When I read this, I thought of our band teacher. He just joined our school two years ago, having no idea how our school uniquely functions. He just kind of closed his eyes, wished for the best, and jumped in the water. And he did good! Right now, our Jr. High band program is one of the best in our province. If I were him, I would show a little more hesitation. I mean, that's scary, doing what he did! He just got a new job, which included taking on 90 kids, learning with a new set of coworkers, the responsibility of being a teacher, and the the job of learning about 90 kids. How did he come out of this huge change in life with such positive results? The last person that answered added on to their previous answers. Strength is having confidence and faith in God. This completely goes right in hand with Phillipians 4:13. "I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me!" I have witnessed that if God asks you to jump into choppy waters blindfolded, you don't have to worry too much! Because there is a protecting force around you that is stronger than death itself.
