Have you ever felt strong? I mean truly strong, as in invincible?
Have you ever felt weak? I mean worthless, like the world would really be a better place without you?

Isn't it funny how we can feel so mighty, and then, in just a moment, so defeated. What happens? How does it happen so fast?

It is good to feel strong; to be encouraged; we need those times in life.

We need to be reminded that we are blessed, that we have been given talents and gifts, and that our lives have purpose.

But when we are strong, we must always be reminded that strength comes from the Lord, for he alone is strong.

It is also good to feel weak, to be broken. We need those times, too. We need to be reminded that we are dependent, that everything we have comes from God, and that we will one day die.

But when we are weak we must always be reminded that strength comes from the Lord, for he alone is strong.

I went to see a friend in the hospital who was facing some serious surgery that carried with it a fair chance of death. This is a man who has been strong, has done great things, a man whom many people have depended on; but he lay in pain on a hospital bed completely dependent on the surgeon's hand...weak.

It is good to go to hospitals, it is good to go to funerals, and it is good to feel sad sometimes. We need to be reminded that everything in this world will die. We need to be reminded that there is only one hope, there is only one life, there is only one truth, and that is Jesus Christ, the son of the living God.

Jesus is the strong one, and he is strong no matter how we feel. The apostle Paul had both strong and weak moments in his life but God always reminded him of the truth.

Once in one of Paul's weaker moments the Lord said to him, "My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

To which Paul responded, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ then I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Jason Dees is pastor of First Baptist Church of Covington. Learn more at http://www.fbctoday.net/