Have you ever tried to push a door that was clearly marked “pull”? We’ve all been there. It’s a perfect example of what happens when we lead with “brute force” instead of understanding. In our Unity tradition, we look at January as the month of Faith and February as the month of Strength. There is a very specific reason they follow that order.
In the stories of old, the disciples Peter (Faith) and Andrew (Strength) were called the “Sons of Thunder.” They are brothers, inseparable but distinct. When we try to exert strength without faith, we’re just using muscle and ego—and that usually leads to burnout or conflict. But when we lead with Faith first, we create a foundation of spiritual “knowing” that gives our Strength its direction and purpose.
The Integrity Connection
Real strength isn’t about how much we can carry or how loud we can shout. True strength is the ability to stay in our integrity.
When we have the faith to believe in our own worth and the divine principles of peace, we develop the strength to stay true to those convictions—even when the world around us feels a bit chaotic. Living in integrity simply means that your “inside” matches your “outside.” When you are true to yourself, you don’t have to waste energy pretending or defending.
Strength Leads to Peace
In these times of disruption in our nation, it’s easy to feel like we’re being pulled in a dozen different directions. But here is the secret: Living in integrity produces a peaceful life. When you know who you are and whose you are, you can stand in the middle of a storm and remain centered. That is the “Power of Strength” we are celebrating this February. It’s a quiet, steady force that allows us to take charge of our own mental state regardless of the headlines.
Join Us on the Journey
If you’re looking for a place to practice these tools and learn how to navigate these times with a bit more grace and a lot more peace, I’d love to welcome you to Unity of Royal Oak. We aren’t just talking about these principles; we’re learning how to live them together. Information at www.unityroyaloak.org
Come as you are, find your strength, and let’s build a life of integrity and peace, one step at a time.
call to action for the Royal Oak community, just let me know!
Rev. Ric Beatie
Senior Minister at Unity of Royal Oak
