Strong Enough

Some of you may know that I recently moved to England from America.  During the stressful weeks leading up to the move, the song Strong Enough by Matthew West was speaking to me. While moving to another country is nothing compared to some of the challenges that many people in this world face, it was and still is a strain on me as a person, largely because I haven't had a whole lot of change in my life.  Around that same time, I watched a close friend deal with the severe illness of her father and his death.  I would think of her when listening to this song as well, and wonder when I will be in a similar situation and what toll that will take on me.

So here's the YouTube video, take a look, listen and read the words....

For me this song is about that old adage, "God won't give you something you can't handle."  I like to add "with his help."  Sometimes you just know that you can't handle the trials of this life on your own.  We all try to be in control, but some of the trials are just too hard....illness, loss, the things in life that could cause us to question Him, or reach out for help from Him because there is no one else. 

Maybe that's the point
to reach the point of giving up

When I'm finally
Finally at rock bottom
Well, that's when I start looking up
And reaching out

Maybe we do have the strength handle it, but we are overwhelmed by it and trusting in God can help us cope and not suffer through the situation.  Or perhaps the situation is so new and different for us that God needs to make us stronger to be able to endure. 

It is these times when the pain is too much to bear, the addiction too hard to overcome, the fear so great that it hinders us, that our own efforts as humans just aren't enough.  We need extra strength, extra courage from the only one that can give it.  It's too bad that sometimes we wait until we are at rock bottom to seek His help. 

My favorite part of this song is actually scripture: Phillipians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength

or

I can do everything through him who gives me strength (NIV)

It's such a simple scripture to memorize and have in your back-pocket for those challenging situations.  It's even easier for me to remember it when I sing it in my head now, thanks to this song. 

This song comes from Matthew West's "Story of Your Life Album" for which he asked listeners to send him letters for him to write songs about.  So as part of this album he has created videos with the back-story about who inspired this song and their story.  This one was inspired by a girl named Haley.

May you be able to trust in the Lord and give your problems to Him.  He will guide you through the trials of this life and give you strength and comfort.