My son plays soccer and has been working hard to improve his speed. His coach supports his goal, but the coach also reminds him of the importance of finding strength in his weakness. The coach advised him to team up with someone who is strong in the area he is weak. “They will pick up where you are weak, and make you feel strong,” the coach said.
In 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, Paul shared a similar principle about acknowledging our weaknesses and aligning ourselves with the One who makes us strong:
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Paul recounted his plea to the Lord to remove a thorn in his flesh, a persistent challenge or weakness. However, instead of granting Paul’s request, the Lord responded, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Paul recognized his weakness as a tool that God used to help him experience the fullness of God’s grace and power. In response to God’s message, Paul said, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Paul’s breakthrough did not come from healing the thorn in his flesh but from acknowledging his dependence on God’s perfect power.
What lessons do we learn from Paul?
- We can choose to acknowledge our weaknesses and find strength by depending on God to come alongside us and let His perfect power carry us.
- God intends for our weaknesses to drive us to Him, so we rely on His unlimited power.
- It is okay to be limited because God is limitless.
Where do you find yourself struggling with a weakness? Is it a physical weakness or a personality trait? Is it a relationship that will not heal? Is it at your place of work or in your home? How have you responded to the weakness? Have you brought it to the Lord and asked Him for help? If the Lord has not taken the weakness from you, could it be that like Paul God has not taken away that weakness because He is asking you to depend on Him to carry you? Are you ready and willing to be content with your weakness and agree with Paul that it is in your weakness that you are made strong by the power of God in Christ Jesus?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for my weakness. Thank you for trusting me with this weakness. In Jesus name, I choose to receive Your grace to carry me and Your power to make me strong. I agree with You that Your power is made perfect in my weakness. In Jesus name. AMEN.
