Strength comes from many things.  For some, it comes from a position of authority.  For others, it comes through manipulation.  Others muster up an inner strength based on their own abilities and on self-reliance.  Paul, on the other hand, challenges that our real source of strength should come from the Holy Spirit’s power in our inner beings.  Our strength, according to Paul, shouldn’t be derived from any kind of position, manipulation, or self-reliance but on the working of God in us and through us.  In those other situations, we become the focus and we take the glory from God.  But when we allow God to be our strength, we give the glory back to Him and proclaim that it’s not because of anything good that we’ve done but because of God working in us that anything good happens.  There is no room for personal boasting in the life of the follower of Jesus because there is nothing to boast about.  When is the last time you prayed for God to strength you with the Spirit?