Today’s Reading
“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.” -2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV)
Ever since we were born, society has told us that weakness is bad and inferior. That said, it can be easy to fall into a pit of self-pity or self-doubt when life gets hard. It’s easy to question ourselves – whether it be our abilities, our strengths, or our weaknesses. However, Jesus’ ministry is full of individuals who were seemingly weak, inferior, or disliked. Jesus took the least of these and used them to make an eternal impact for the kingdom.
In 2 Corinthians, Paul tells us that when we are weak God can show up and blow our minds. I think we see God’s strength the most in our lives when we are weak and have to fully rely on Him. I’m talking about those moments when you have nothing left to give and have nowhere else to turn except to God for guidance, wisdom, strength, and comfort. We stop relying on our own abilities, and start relying on our great and perfect heavenly father. When we do this, when we fully rely on God, He comes through in ways we could have never imagined or seen coming.
It is in these moments that we can look back and say, “Only God could have done that.” Through the mess, through the heartache, through the late nights and hard work – God showed up and outdid Himself!
Therefore, we should boast in our weakness! Whenever I start to feel stress or worry, I know that those feelings aren’t of God and that I need to lean more into Him, His word, and His promises – this promise in 2 Corinthians! Even though I am imperfect, weak, and have my flaws – He is perfect and He works through me. When we are weak, He is powerful in and through us.
Reflection
Think about a hard time of your life that caused you to feel weak, stressed, worried, or like a failure. Did God redeem that time and show up in a big way? If you’re going through that hard time right now, are you able to see it as a time to let God in and lean on Him through the hardship? Are you able to boast when you are weak so that God can reveal Himself in a big way?
Prayer
God, I am so thankful for who You are – that You are a perfect, powerful, loving God who always shows up even in my weakness! You make me better; You make me whole. Even though I go through hard times in this world, I trust that You are always for me and with me every step of the way. You are working out every detail in Your plan for my life and I trust in You! Help me to remember this even when life gets crazy. In Jesus’ name, amen.