Strong Enough

At one time, I needed physical therapy for back pain.

It hurt to move, but every physical therapy session slowly made me stronger as my weak muscles regained their strength. God taught me a spiritual lesson during one of my sessions. One exercise required me to lie on a cot on my back.

I told Bryan, the physical therapist, that I would need help getting back up when we finished. He nodded in agreement. After the workout, Bryan stood next to me and said, “Put as much weight on me as you need to.” Then he extended his hands to me, and I placed my hands in his. Bryan closed his hands over mine in what felt like a strong yet somehow gentle grasp and stood steady and strong as I transferred my weight onto him.

I struggled to stand as I moved from lying on my back to putting both feet on the floor and finally standing tall. Just like my physical therapist told me to put as much weight on him as I needed, Jesus Christ invites us to place all our burdens on Him.

He is strong enough to handle it—and He cares for us.

I was amazed that no matter how much of my weight I placed on my physical therapist, no matter how heavily I leaned on him, he stood strong.

He did not move an inch! He was able to stand, unmoved by the heaviness of my load. Bryan took on my weight and stayed by my side until I survived my struggle and stood securely next to him. That is exactly what Jesus does for us! We can cast all our cares, anxieties, and pain on Him. He is strong enough to handle it. And no matter how much pain we carry, He can handle the weight of it all. He wants us to transfer our pain onto Him.

He stands by our side, firm and steady, unshakeable in His ability to bear our burdens and in His love for us. Jesus takes our weak hands in His mighty ones and supports us in every situation. And as we exercise our faith, it will grow stronger as Jesus stands by our side.

Oh, my friends! Isn’t God amazing?

Alexis A. Goring