Faith and “Weakness”

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT

I have been thinking about this verse a lot lately. I think it is one we like to quote to encourage others–but maybe, due to pride not want to apply to ourselves. Pride aside, we must admit, we all have our weaknesses. I am so grateful that God understands that about us. He not only knows our weaknesses, but He expects to use them for His glory. He remembered us in our weakness. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:23. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. 1 Corinthians 1:25. NLT.

Most of us spent a lifetime trying to hide our weaknesses. When they are exposed, we feel vulnerable and subject to criticism and/or rejection. I think we even try to hide them from ourselves! 2 Corinthians begins with Paul saying: This boasting will do not good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 Corinthians 12:1 NLT. He then spends a few verses sharing about his experiences (which sound amazing!) of seeing things that he can’t even express. But he doesn’t even elaborate on them, he jumps to: that experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. 2 Corinthians 12:5. NLT. But then Paul clues us in on the backstory.

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away [a thorn in his flesh] Each time he said, ‘my grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9.

One of my weak areas is asking for help. I have a tendency to be the “strong, independent woman” on my own. I know I am not alone in this, in trying to figure out the balance between being a weak, needy woman and the “I don’t need anyone”. Balance, for me, often comes through prayer. When I take the time to lean in an onto the Lord, He either shows me how to get through it, or He helps me ask for help. My weakness then turns into a strength, because I included Him and His wisdom.

Have you ever received an “assignment” from the Lord? Maybe you have been reluctant to accept it, but then you surrender to it? The struggle might deal with your own insecurity (hmm, a weakness?), fear of failure or like Jonah, you didn’t like the “Ninevites!”. But once you said yes, we must still rely on Him and trust His plan for the outcome. If we begin understanding our weakness, we must not end in our supposed strength. Paul goes on to finish his thoughts: That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10. NLT.

I found a journal entry from 2011. It was written during the height of my caregiving season for my husband. I wrote this: The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet and makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility]. Habakkuk 3: 19 Amp. Oh, how I knew I needed Him to be my strength. I learned during that challenging season how to lean into Him and receive His strength. My friends, does the Lord have you in a season where your weaknesses seem to be exposed? Congratulations! This is a good thing. He is able to do more than ever through you and me, when we admit our weakness. Do not let pride stop you from asking for His help. And when it arrives, no matter what shape or form, take it. I went on to write: My weakness is your strength. You already know about Darryl and my weaknesses and you can use them to be strong in us. Yes, thank you, I’m free to love Darryl with his weakness because you love him and will be strong in them. That gives me permission to love myself in the midst of my weaknesses as well.

When we admit our weaknesses to ourselves, we take a step toward loving ourselves well. Once we admit them to Him, He may show you ways to grow up and out of them (like works of the flesh). Others, He may show you a way to live with them in a way that glorifies Him (like Moses, and his stammering lips). If we want the power of God to work in us and through us, we have to get this right. Plus it is so freeing not to be perfect!

Father, I thank you that we can be strong in the power of Your might. I ask you to help us in this crucial area. We need You, more than ever, in Jesus’ Name, amen.