Welcome to 21 Days of Strength.  We’ve been focusing on how to strengthen ourselves in the Lord.  No doubt, if we follow Christ, we’re always in some kind of battle.  And like any good soldier, it pays to be strong–fit for the fight. I’ve learned through the years that it helps to be practical, as well as spiritually prepared,  if I want to be strong.  Simply lightening my load, both mentally and physically, gives me more strength. Decluttering my soul and my surroundings renews energy.  I’ve also found that structure and order keep me mentally healthy–able to stay positive.

Strength is somehow connected to our habits.  I’ve discovered that simple daily habits build strength—which in turn, helps keep hope alive.   Small habits can lead to large actions. Large actions lead to big dreams and big dreams have wider reaching and even world changing impact.  And since we are talking about ways to increase our strength, I thought I’d share the following words of practical advice from a member of our armed forces and a man whose life, and the lives of his men, depended on staying fit for battle.

Navy Admiral and former SEAL William H. McRaven challenged graduates in his commencement address at University of Texas to dare to change their world.  But he started off by talking about the importance of our habits:

“Changing the world can happen anywhere and anyone can do it,” he said. “But change starts with small actions. Every morning we were required to make our bed to perfection. It seemed a little ridiculous at the time, particularly in light of the fact that were aspiring to be real warriors, tough battle hardened SEALs—but the wisdom of this simple act has been proven to me many times over. If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter.”

His advice to the graduates? “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.”

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for the reminder that the little things really do matter.  Please show me some small, daily habits could help me build my strength in You.