But I Don’t Like Being Weak

by Debbie W. Wilson

Hobbling around, duck-taped together because of a swollen knee, reminded me how much I hate being weak. I was already dealing with low energy and other sensitivities. Now my limited strength had to cover physical therapy too.

God used my weaknesses to get my attention.

 We love our strengths. They open doors, garner accolades, and earn money. But no one has only strengths. Everyone has weak areas. The person who gets things accomplished may bruise people. The people person may be easily distracted from tasks. These weaknesses may frustrate and embarrass us. They sidetrack us, but they’re also gifts from God. They keep us humble and reliant on Him, which is His goal.

What about those weaknesses caused by emotional or physical injuries, not DNA? Are those also gifts? Joseph told his brothers that what they intended for evil, God intended for good (Genesis 50:20). God uses all of our weaknesses—including our injuries—to benefit us. Accepting our weaknesses heals and strengthens us.

The Apostle Paul dealt with weaknesses too. He said, “Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from 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 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 Corinthians 12:7-10 NIV

 What if our weaknesses are actually disguised links to God’s mighty power? Paul viewed them that way. Rather than viewing our challenges as a detriment, we can look at them as an opportunity. Who would choose human strength over Christ’s power?

Our weaknesses may limit us, but they strengthen what God can do through us.

Paul’s limitations included weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties. He saw them as reminders to let Christ take over.

My limitations never limit Christ’s work in me. Quite the opposite—they release His power through me.

I have to apply this principle by faith. My feelings don’t always agree. Join me in asking God to help us trust Him with our weaknesses.

Lord Jesus, please help me to be like Paul and stop focusing on my handicap and start appreciating the gift. Your grace is sufficient for my every need. May your power be made complete in me today.

“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 Corinthians 12:10 NIV

About the author: Drawing from her personal walk with Christ, twenty-four years as a Christian counselor, and decades as a Bible teacher, Debbie W. Wilson speaks and writes to help others discover relevant faith. She is the author of Little Women, Big God and Give Yourself a Break. She and her husband, Larry, founded Lighthouse Ministries in 1991. Share her journey to refreshing faith at her blog.

Free Book Contest!  Arise Daily will use a random number generator to pick a winner from today’s comments. To enter our contest for Debbie’s book, Give Yourself a Break: Discover the Secrets so God’s Rest,  please comment below.  By posting in our comments, you are giving us permission to share your name if you win!  If you have an outside the US mailing address, your prize could be substituted with an e-book of our choice.

Join the conversation: Have you experienced the power of God through your weakness?