"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 about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12: 9, 10)
Do you know how many times I have heard or read that phrase in just the last 2 months? At least 5 times! And all by random circumstances. There is such a thing as double emphasis in reading the Scriptures, meaning God really wants you to get that point. So I've had it recounted to me 5 times now. What does that mean? (if you say thick headed, then no need for commenting)
I am struggling. I am wrestling with the whole idea of being weak. I don't want to be weak. That's a sign of weakness. Like I can't hack it. I just need to buck up, man up, press on.
Paul says he will boast about it. What? That doesn't make any sense. You aren't supposed to boast, that's being prideful.
The kicker? He says he delights in weaknesses! Whatever! I'm experiencing weaknesses right now and I am neither boasting nor am I happy about it. I feel like a failure. I feel alone. And I don't feel strong.
Now to be in context, Paul was writing about a particular thorn that he felt God has placed in his life and though he had prayed about it being removed, it was not and Paul's response is these words. Please understand Paul was no tenderfoot at trials, persecutions and difficulties. So if he is asking God to remove this particular thing, it must have been quite a thing! But Paul says, woohoo- if this means more you God, great! Bring it!
I'm a lightweight. I want an easy win, a quick fix. I'll take the trials without the try, please. I'm ready to reach the nations, just as long as it isn't too difficult.
See, I can do all of that.
But God is leading me down a different path. His grace fills in the gaps my weaknesses leave. His power can only be perfect when it is Him, not me. Him, not me. Paul boasts and delights because the more he is forced to recognize his short-comings (i.e. insults, persecutions, difficulties), the more the power of Christ can work.
That power. It created a world in one breath. It multiplied bread in one touch. It healed in one word.
I'm missing out, all because I don't want to be weak. But I NEED that power!!
So I will wrestle with being weak. I will learn to embrace his grace that is sufficient. It fills in ALL the gaps. There are no holes left. I will learn to delight in weaknesses and when I don't, grace is there to hold me steady. I will let his power rest on me. Then I will be strong. But it will be him, not me.
Paul says he will boast about it. What? That doesn't make any sense. You aren't supposed to boast, that's being prideful.
The kicker? He says he delights in weaknesses! Whatever! I'm experiencing weaknesses right now and I am neither boasting nor am I happy about it. I feel like a failure. I feel alone. And I don't feel strong.
Now to be in context, Paul was writing about a particular thorn that he felt God has placed in his life and though he had prayed about it being removed, it was not and Paul's response is these words. Please understand Paul was no tenderfoot at trials, persecutions and difficulties. So if he is asking God to remove this particular thing, it must have been quite a thing! But Paul says, woohoo- if this means more you God, great! Bring it!
I'm a lightweight. I want an easy win, a quick fix. I'll take the trials without the try, please. I'm ready to reach the nations, just as long as it isn't too difficult.
See, I can do all of that.
But God is leading me down a different path. His grace fills in the gaps my weaknesses leave. His power can only be perfect when it is Him, not me. Him, not me. Paul boasts and delights because the more he is forced to recognize his short-comings (i.e. insults, persecutions, difficulties), the more the power of Christ can work.
That power. It created a world in one breath. It multiplied bread in one touch. It healed in one word.
I'm missing out, all because I don't want to be weak. But I NEED that power!!
So I will wrestle with being weak. I will learn to embrace his grace that is sufficient. It fills in ALL the gaps. There are no holes left. I will learn to delight in weaknesses and when I don't, grace is there to hold me steady. I will let his power rest on me. Then I will be strong. But it will be him, not me.
Amen, sister! Well said. God has also shown me that verse at least a couple of times lately. I am always so amazed at Paul's insight into the Truth--maybe this was because he was always in such physical pain (or whatever his thorn was)and he knew he was weak. Maybe this weakness made him keep running to God and because this "grew" him, it made him rejoice. Just a thought.
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