The 7 Strength & Beauty Combinations

by Sis. Olivia E. Abanto

Strength is usually seen in the person of men, specially if the bases would be their physical strength and emotional stability. Beauty, on the other hand, is usually seen in women's being. But I've seen these two characteristics together in our Lord. Psalm 96:6b says, "Strength and beauty are in thy sanctuary." Even in my personal experience I've proven that God is strong and all-powerful in every aspect. He also demonstrated to me a different kind of beauty through His love and forgiveness and other qualities. I count these as the beauty of God through Jesus Christ. He created us in His image, so I believe that these two are also in us His children.
Strength and beauty--two qualities that looks hard to be found together in a man or a woman at the same time. I still want to hold on to the challenge of God's Word in the epistle of Paul to the Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." I have seven (7) combinations of strength and beauty so that we can live and apply the grace of the Lord for the praise of God:

1. Strength to Show the Beauty of Hospitality (1 Peter 4:9). It is not easy to show the beauty of an open home, but if we first open our hearts for those who needs sympathy and love, the strength to show the beauty of an open home with joy and hearty receiving will follow--to anyone who needs it.



2. Strength to Show the Beauty of Faith. We need to have the strength to stand firmly to be able to have victory and get through different crises of life, if we have trust and faith in our God. He promised that "whosoever trusteth in him shall not be ashamed." I remember when I was still a new Christian. A person who was so dear to my heart immediately challenged my faith in God. I knew God gave me the strength to prove to this person that trusting in God will not ever be lacking.



3. Strength to Speak Out the Truth in the Beauty of Wisdom. Proverbs 31:26 - "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." It's easier to shut up our mouths to avoid any disagreement, specially when what is to be discussed is truth. But it will not help everyone if the truth is covered or is still concealed. The strength or courage to speak the truth is good, and more also, if it's coupled with wisdom to say it at the right time, way, and place. There are also many people who are quick to speak but is lacking of wisdom, and it causes the spirit to be broken. But if there is wisdom, whether it breaks our hearts, it will not break our spirit.



4. Strength to Labor that Others May Experience the Beauty of Love. If our Lord did not endure to stand the pain and sorrow of the cross, we would not also experience the beauty of the love of God for us to live eternally with Him at the right time. There are many times in our experiences in life that if there is no strength to suffer or to endure suffering, the beauty of unity with love within our home will not be experienced: the promise "till death do us part" will be broken. The saying "Friends forever" will be replaced with "no permanent friends." The Lord has done this so we can also.



5. Strength to Uphold the Beauty of Standards (Psalm 29:2). There is always beauty resulting from "pamantayan" or standards in a Christian's life because God has established this--though in every walk of time there are many trials to destroy or degrade them. So strength is needed to keep on holding on and living it because our God did not ever change or weaken in his standards, holiness, purity, and orderliness--it will remain the nature of our God, because He did not change yesterday, today, and even will not forever. (Hebrews 12:3)



6. Strength to Build Up in the Beauty of a Forgiving Heart (Colossians 3:13). Because of the forgiveness of the Lord many lives have been rebuilt, many lives are reconstructed. I have witnessed this in many families and individuals in life. It is good and beautiful to observe the lives that were built up in the grace of God if we are one of those He used and have been given strength to build up in the forgiveness that we gave to them that sinned against us.



7. Strength to Lead in the Beauty of a Model or Example. If there is no strength, leading any endeavor is impossible. Like what Paul said, "Follow me as I follow Christ." He first saw the leading of God in being an example to follow and strength is really needed to show the beauty of a model or example. It became usual for children to say to the parents who say "Do what your mother/father says," "Why will I obey her/him, if you yourself don't?" The child in this case is not justified, but this is the reality that happens to any relationship if the beauty of being an example is not practiced even if we have the strength to lead.

Maybe these seven combinations are not all to demonstrate the whole quality of "strength and beauty" in our being, but I believe this is enough to prove that this strength and beauty in our life will display the power and beauty of God on every one soul. He has the more ability to defend, keep, lead, build at uphold us. His caring hand, love, mercy, grace, always forgiving, and acceptance toward me are what keeps me to live with strength and beauty day by day.