The Strength of Your Spirit
This month, we continue our journey through the twelve spiritual powers or attributes found in each human being. Our focus today is on spiritual strength, an innate quality that empowers us to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and authenticity. Across nearly every spiritual and religious tradition, there is a consistent teaching that spiritual practice strengthens us—not just physically, but mentally and spiritually as well.
Strength in Christianity
In Christianity, the apostle Paul encouraged the Ephesian church to be “strong in the Lord and the strength of his might.” This idea that our strength comes from God is consistent through both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures.
Strength in Buddhism
In some Buddhist teachings, strength is a balanced inner fortitude cultivated through five essential spiritual faculties known as the Five Strengths (Pañcabala). These universal inner strengths are similar to the abilities or inherent qualities we will be discussing throughout this year. These strengths form the foundation of spiritual resilience, helping us navigate life’s challenges with clarity, purpose, and grace.
These five strengths are not just Buddhist concepts; they are universal. They are the same qualities that empower us to stand strong in our truth, to persist through hardship, and to hold our peace in a chaotic world.
Each of us already possesses these strengths. The key is to recognize them, cultivate them, and use them in our lives. When we do, we discover that spiritual strength is not about overpowering obstacles—it is about being so deeply rooted in our truth that nothing can shake us.
Strength in Mind, Body, and Spirit
The philosopher Plato described human beings as composed of three primary components: body, mind, and spirit. Our innate strength functions on all three levels, and spiritual traditions throughout history have developed practices to cultivate our strength.
- Physical Strength: When we think of strength, we often associate it with the body—how much we can lift, how far we can run, or how physically resilient we are. Interestingly, science supports the idea that spiritual practices like meditation can enhance physical well-being. Meditation reduces stress hormones like cortisol, which in high levels can weaken muscle mass and overall health. (1)(2) By lowering stress, meditation indirectly supports the body’s ability to sustain strength when combined with a healthy lifestyle.
- Mental Strength: Strength of mind is a deeper inner fortitude—our ability to endure, to overcome obstacles, and to keep moving forward even in difficult times. This kind of strength enables us to stand firm in our beliefs, advocate for ourselves, and act with conviction despite resistance.
- Spiritual Strength: Our spiritual strength is the out-picturing of our faith. It is the ability to hold a truth in our consciousness and act upon it with courage. Mahatma Gandhi called this principle Soul Force (Satyagraha), a strength that allowed him to peacefully resist oppression. As he explained:
“When I refuse to do a thing that is repugnant to my conscience, I use soul force. If by using violence, I force the government to repeal the law, I am employing what may be termed body-force.”
True spiritual strength is not about brute force or overpowering others—it is the power to remain steadfast in our truth, even when the world pressures us to conform.
The Yogic Paths to Strength
Throughout history, spiritual disciplines have provided pathways to develop inner strength. In the yogic tradition, different paths cultivate resilience in unique ways:
- Karma Yoga (Path of Action) – Strength through selfless service and detachment from outcomes.
- Bhakti Yoga (Path of Devotion) – Strength through love and surrender to the divine.
- Jnana Yoga (Path of Knowledge) – Strength through wisdom, discernment, and mental discipline.
- Raja Yoga (Path of Meditation) – Strength through self-mastery, mindfulness, and deep inner stillness.
- Hatha Yoga (Path of Physical Discipline) – Strength through control of the body and breath to support spiritual awakening.
Each of these paths recognizes that true strength is not just physical but deeply spiritual. Whether through meditation, devotion, service, wisdom, or discipline, we cultivate strength by aligning with our highest self.
The Strength of the LGBTQ+ Community
The LGBTQ+ community has long been a living testament to strength—a strength forged through adversity, resistance, and the courage to be authentic. The ability to live truthfully in a world that at times has tried to demand conformity is a profound act of spiritual resilience.
Chosen Family as Strength – Many LGBTQ+ individuals create chosen families, a deep act of spiritual and emotional fortitude. These communities become sources of support, love, and belonging.
The Legacy of Activism – From the Stonewall Riots to the fight for marriage equality, the LGBTQ+ movement has consistently demonstrated the strength to stand firm in the face of injustice.
Resilience in the Face of Discrimination – Despite systemic oppression, LGBTQ+ individuals have thrived, created, and built spaces of joy and liberation.
While we draw strength from our broader community, it is important to remember that our strength is not external—it comes from within. We do not receive strength from our communities; we bring our strength to our communities. And when we combine our unique strengths and talents, we become unstoppable.
Strength Through Inner Peace
Perhaps our greatest strength is our ability to hold onto our inner peace during challenging times. Deep within each of us, there is a center of infinite peace—a place where the world’s chaos cannot reach us.
Holding Our Peace as an Act of Strength – When the world around us feels unstable, we can return to this deep well of peace. Spiritual strength is not about reacting to every external circumstance—it is about staying rooted in the truth of who we are.
The Power of Stillness – Many spiritual traditions, from Buddhism to Taoism to Christian contemplative practices, teach that stillness is not weakness but the ultimate power. As the Tao Te Ching says:
“The soft and yielding overcome the rigid and hard.”
When we trust in our divine nature, we realize that strength is not about proving ourselves—it is about standing firm in who we already are.
You Are Strong
You are a strong person. Not because the world says so, but because you were born with this power within you. Every human being has spiritual strength as part of their divine nature.
This strength allows us to:
- Stand firm in our truth.
- Move forward with resilience.
- Support our communities with authenticity.
- Hold onto our peace, even when the world shakes around us.
Join Us for Our February Meeting on Strength
Spiritual strength is a force that transcends religious labels—it is a universal truth, available to all. This month, Rev. Tim Lytle will lead our community in a discussion on Faith and Strength, helping us deepen our understanding of these principles.
About Rev. Tim Lytle:
Rev. Tim is an ordained Unity minister and serves on the Board of Trustees for Unity Worldwide Ministries. He has over 28 years of experience as a hospital chaplain, specializing in psychiatric care, trauma services, and intensive care units. His work extends internationally, and he has studied meditation, Sufism, Kabbalah, Taoism, Buddhism, and contemplative Christian practices. His mission is the spiritual transformation and awakening of individuals through experiencing their Oneness with the Divine.
We invite you to join us for this powerful conversation on faith, resilience, and the strength that is already within you. Let’s come together, honor our strength, and uplift one another as we continue our spiritual journey.
How You Can Support Our Mission?
You can help us fulfill our mission by donating to Folx with Faith or starting a local group. It is our mission to create safe spaces to explore and experience spiritual wholeness. Folx with Faith supports the queer community, fostering a celebration of our authentic beings and empowering us to make a difference in the world. If you would like to contribute to this mission or would like to start a local chapter, please let us know. You can contact us or use the links below.
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