ALICIA TO FACEBOOK FRIENDS :: How has your personal definition of strength over time changed? [Thank you to all who responded!!!]

Connie Lindsey :: I have grown stronger in my broken places-to paraphrase Hemingway: “The world breaks everyone, and afterward some are strong in the broken places.” When I have been broken due to loss, failure, fear, cancer or indescribable Joy, I now understand that I was being “broken open” to be filled with what God wanted me to have!

Lizzie Clout :: I think that previously I would have assumed to have and convey strength, meant that you needed to toughen up and, consequently, I would find my heart hardening in order to endure. More so, now, however, I’m aware that sinking into His strength means that I can remain soft and vulnerable ~ and weakness held in His strength is permissible. Steel in my backbone doesn’t necessarily mean steel in my heart. Xxx

Kelly Stack Sapp :: It has become less about what I’m able to physically do, and more about what Christ is doing deep down inside me. I can truly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities knowing, His strength is perfected there. It’s all about Him.

Lena Shrader :: I think strength for me lately has been about facing the unlovely in myself and allowing the Lord to take me from godly sorrow to action–it is so humbling to have to not only feel the pain of knowing we are less than what we hoped, but facing the process of change.

Sheri Ashmore Austin :: Thinking of the Corinthians scripture about His strength being made perfect in our weakness. So it seems, on the narrow path, that strength is having the courage to trust God’s might.

Heather Rogero :: Not coming from a personal effort of doing, rather an intentional stepping back, resting and being found in Him, and then walking in the clothed strength of interior trust in him rather than a personal willed effort. – P.S. It was a seed sown in the 7th Year and sprouting now!

Tina Richardson :: More about sustaining power than about a burst of energy.

Brenda Willis :: Agree with Sheri Austin. I became the strongest I have ever been, when my earthly props, (strength) was suddenly gone. I then truly learned in my weakness, is when I experienced His strength to the fullest. As a result, I now learn to trust Him more in every area of my life. “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.”

Anthony-Sophia Garcia :: When I was younger, stronger and much more daring – it was ALL about what I could “hold.” Now it’s finally TOTALLY about HIM holding me. HE must increase, I must decrease!

Larry Stacy Callaway :: It’s not about what I can do so much anymore as what I don’t do… or say. The power/strength of the Holy Spirit bearing good fruit in me. I love a quote from the movie First Knight referring to the king, “He wears his power lightly.” No one on earth has ever been more powerful than Christ but he chose to wear it lightly and only exercise it when He knew it was time!

Diana L McBride :: What I counted as my strength was also part of my weakness when I was coming into the business world and seeking advancement in my younger years. Then I began to see that what I conceived as a strength was more like bullying even though there were never words exchanged. I didn’t want others to be afraid of me, but did want to be respected. I had to pray a lot on this, and question God as to how I could use this strength but in a more positive way, to find more favor with others in a more gentle way. It took a lot of making over, changing thoughts, being cognitive of others, and being quite more humble. A strength in our persona does not to be a heavy shadow that falls on others around us. Thought provoking.

Stephanie Valeri :: For me, the strength to keep going comes from my calling. Being in ministry is hard at times. The calling (vocation/invitation) he has placed on my life is stronger than anything said or done to me. When I am struggling to keep building the kingdom, when my heart is hurting, when I have my weak moments of wanting to look back, it is His call, His voice, His presence that keeps my hand on that plow in that field. Knowing that He who called is faithful – He knows why He has me there and that it will be fruitful despite the hardship. That is where my strength comes from.

Shelley Lovato :: Submission, forgiveness, and the giving of grace.

Ginger Haan :: Thirty years ago, I had to lean heavily on the Lord in a difficult situation. I asked, “When will I be strong enough to make my own decisions again?’” It took me a year to learn the answer— never! Over the years I’ve found it’s His strength given to me when I need it.

Elaine Killian Olsen :: Strength has less to do with the “what” I have and more to do with the “who” I have. God’s Spirit living in me has become my strength.

-We’ve been having a bit of trouble with the comment section that the team is diligently working to fix but we still want to hear from you! Send a tweet to @aliciachole with comments or questions!