Tag Archives: strength in weakness

Finding strength in weakness

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One ad for the movie, “God Is Not Dead” reads, “I am not Christian because I am strong. I am Christian because I am weak and know I need a Savior.”

 

We like it when we are strong, don’t we? It is exciting to be energetic and full of life, ready and able to take on the demands of life. God’s Word often tells us to be strong and courageous. It’s the stuff of heroes and champions. Life seems good when we are strong.

 

But what about when we are weak? When there is simply not enough strength to carry on, when others have to carry your load, and sometimes carry you? Who says, “Look at the weakling. I want to be like him? Let’s choose her – she’s the weakest?” And while everyone prays for strength at some time or another, who prays for weakness?

 

We all face weak moments – sometimes in the face of temptation, sometimes in the face-off against a formidable foe. Sometimes we are weak in the battle of our mind. Sometimes our body reaches its breaking point, where the storm walls fail to hold back the devastating storm. Face it, any thought that we are the captains of our own destiny or masters of our own fate, are illusions of our mind. But . . .

 

We need not fear our weakness, as painful as it. As humiliating as it feels, our weakness is actually our key to strength. It’s found in the children’s song: “I am weak but HE is strong.” Colossians 1:27 holds the secret to our hope: “Christ in us, the hope of glory.” Paul learned the secret: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. . . I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13

 

We want strength and vitality, but can we be content in weakness? If Christ is really in charge, then yes. We think our goal is success, but really our goal is to be found faithful in the challenge. Weakness, the experience of being at the end of ourselves, is the opportunity for Jesus to reign in us. Our faithfulness is His invitation. Even if weakness is for a lifetime, it is still momentary compared to eternity, and of little consequence compared to the weight of eternal glory.

 

Be strong and courageous…even in weakness.

 

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18

 

 

Strength when you are weak

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Remaining in God’s presence renews us and leaves us refreshed.

 

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights. Habakkuk 3:19

 

Trying to help Marcia with a bit of yard work, I find myself so easily tired. I ‘work’ for five minutes and then sit down and rest for 5-10 minutes. I am constantly aware of my weakness; it is part of the leukemia landscape. How about you? Do you struggle with things that seem beyond your strength to endure? It might be a physical weakness, or maybe an emotional one. Or perhaps there is a weak chink in your spiritual armor and it seems that you are not strong enough to protect yourself from the temptation of doubt, fear, greed, gossip, anger, or any number of self-defeating and Spirit-grieving habits.

 

Here’s the bad news. You aren’t strong enough. .. On your own. Your self-reliant strength will never be enough to endure all that will confront you. You weren’t created to have super powers in all areas of life. The good news is that there is a Sovereign God whose strength IS sufficient. In fact, it is magnified and perfected in your weakness. Although we hate the feeling of being weak, that is precisely where we are able to find God’s strength. Author Sarah Young reminds us the key to accessing this strength is to connect with God; that in this moment by moment connection we are able to receive either the partial strength he gives us for the moment or the full abundant strength of God intends for us.

 

Entering into the presence of God refreshes and rejuvenates us. It allows us to hear the whispers of God as He speaks to us in our state of weakness. And so, we should not be discouraged by our weakness, but encouraged because it leads us into the presence of our Sovereign God whose grace is sufficient and strength is made perfect in our weakness. We are His temple, His sanctuary. Let His strength and glory reside in you.

 

Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and glory are in His sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Psalm 96:6-7

 

 

Those Three Special Words

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I remember Don Knight’s Valentine’s message to a mens’ breakfast years ago. He wanted to make sure that we understood how to be godly husbands. He explained, “There are three special words that every wife longs to hear from her husband. Three words that are so easy to remember and simple to say, but that are hard for most of us to share.” I imagine most of us in the audience were anticipating what Don was going to say next, thinking yes I should say, “I love you” more often. Pushing forward, Don concluded, those three special words every wife longs to hear from her husband are…

“I was wrong!” 🙂

Well, for the first time since I started treatment for this Leukemia, my body sent false signals. I have been so tired I was sure my blood counts had dropped to the point I needed more blood. But a trip to the ER verified the counts were still slowly increasing. The nurse asked if I’d over exerted myself. And being sure that shoveling a little snow the day before had not been too much, I said “No.” Of course, Marcia had advised me not to shovel even the little walkway. But we had visitors coming and it didn’t seem to be that much work to shovel a couple inches of snow, even in my condition. After all, I was feeling pretty good and have been very careful not to do any work around the house.

I was wrong about my limitations. (And finally, I admitted this to Marcia.) But I am fully convinced of one thing; one truth that has transcended the weakness that comes with Leukemia. In fact, it is precisely this weakness that allows me perspective to more fully grasp this truth that Jesus speaks to His children:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Do your days wear you down? Do your circumstances seem to overwhelm you? Are you daily reminded of your limitations? If so, be thankful. For you are now in a unique place where you can see beyond yourself and grasp that grace which is sufficient, that power which is available even in weakness.

Embrace it… You won’t be wrong.