Wellness with Reverend N
Develop Inner Strength
We often forget facts, figures, and information, but we don’t forget how things or people made us feel. How do we keep from being overwhelmed by our feelings and circumstances? These are the experiences that train our spirit. What gives people strength of spirit to face the challenges of life?
Among indigenous traditions there are four widely recognized aspects to spiritual strength: an understanding of your own significance, competence, power, and virtue.
For significance we might consider a gift, a kind word, a gentle touch, an action, or time given by someone who demonstrates that you are significant to them. It is the ‘you matter’ factor. It can’t be generated from within but must be given to us by another. We must be open to valuing ourselves.
As you begin to appreciate that you matter, you believe that you can tackle life’s difficulties and that is when you begin to develop competencies. As you learn your abilities, you can expand those abilities into skills which lead to building competence.
While abilities and skills are formed, you become aware that you have the capacity to control your emotions. When feeling arises, you are no longer a slave to your feelings. You are called to be the master of your emotions, using them as power to motivate, not as a torch to burn others.
As you mature in your understanding of significance, competence, and power; you can live a life of character, a life revealing your virtues. Living a life of virtue is the highest calling.
These four aspects of spiritual strength need grounding in a particular spiritual tradition. As you live through life’s experiences, you can develop a resiliency of spirit that defies circumstances. It is a gift that is given through the wisdom of the elders. And we live in this spiritual strength we yearn to pass it along to others.
