March 31st, 2022

Though You May Feel Weak, You Aren't

2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

"But for 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

       Have you ever been through a period, or seen some days that you just feel so powerless? That you've got so much coming against you that you can't even figure out how you're going to face the day, let alone overcome the obstacles that you're faced with? I know I have. However, we're not alone. Paul spoke about this in his second letter to the Corinthians. There were many times along Paul's journey in becoming a disciple that he could've very easily turned away and gone back to his old ways. Before his ministry, Paul-who was originally named Saul- persecuted Christians for their belief in Jesus Christ. After his vision, and Christ making him new, he took off on a journey of planting churches abroad. Along the way, he too faced some pretty ugly times. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, he lists the many afflictions he had been dealt for his faith, such as being lashed, beaten with rods, and even imprisonment. However, it was when he pleaded with the Lord to take his troubles away from him, that he was given the answer that would allow him to boast in his times of weakness.

      Sometimes when we're weak, we ask God to take away our trouble, but God doesn't always have that planned for us. Sometimes, he simply wants us to rely on him in our weakness, so that we may be strong through him. Just as the grace of the Lord was sufficient for Paul, we too may see the sufficiency of his grace in our lives. We are only man and can do only what man was designed to do. Our strength is nothing compared to the Lord's strength, which is so graciously offered to us each and every day. In our weakness, God's strength is made perfect. It's like having a backup supply of strength that never runs out! Though we may see times of trouble, we can be glad in our suffering because we do not have to do it alone. Paul wrapped up this idea by telling the Corinthians that he actually delights in his weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecution and difficulties because "For when I am weak, then I am strong." (V. 10). You may feel weak, but you're not. As long as you are living for Christ you will never face a moment of true weakness. He is, and always will be your strength when you feel like yours has diminished. 

I encourage you today to ask Christ to fill you with his strength and accept it with joy! With his strength, you will be able to boast about in your weaknesses because through Christ you are strong!