I read this passage in 2 Corinthians this morning during my devotional and it dealt with some of the same things I was talking about in my last post, my weaknesses and focusing on them excessively. Wow, God is so good and He really is a personal God. He knows what I am going through and all of my thougths and uses His Word to speak to me right on time! So in chapter 11 verse 30 the Apostle Paul states "If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness." Paul boasted in his weaknesses, contrary to his opponents, and all the suffering that he endured for the gospel. He was showing how his weaknesses demonstrated God's power in His life.
I think that is a good example on how we should view our weaknesses. In 2 Corinthians 12:5-10 he goes on to say "On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me that he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from being conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given to me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave 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 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, calamites. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
This finally just hit me. I have been looking at my weaknesses all wrong! I have been beating myself up about them, blaming myself, and thinking I am worthless to God because of my weaknesses when God really wants to use them to show His power and mercy and grace. He wants me to stop the pity parties, the blame game, and the negative self-image I have about myself when it comes to my not so strongpoints. Paul begged that his "thorn," his weakness be removed yet God never did. Instead He informed Paul that His grace is enough for Him, it is available even for his weakness. God's power shows up in our weaknesses! Ha, Paul even said forget that, I'm gonna brag all the more on my weaknesses because that's when Christ's power comes. Oh how I want and need the power of Christ in my life!
I want to be content with my earthly weaknesses for Christ's sake like Paul was. Not saying that I don't have the desire to grow more into the image of Christ, but that I want to change my thoughts and attitude about them to less negative and more positive and hopeful. "For when I am weak, then I am strong." I must see these areas as places where God can show up and exert His power in me. For example, all my life I have seen my stuttering as a weakness, a problem to be ashamed of and to hide. But now I am starting to see how God could use that very thing that I let tear down my confidence to bless me and others! I believe He wants me to be a messenger to people, even in large settings. A motivational speaker and teacher. Even with my stuttering!
So in addition to highlighting the personal strengths that God has blessed me with, I also will be posting about the weaknesses that I have and stories about how God is showing up and using them for His glory. I believe some things in life we will always have to deal with and bear for this very reason. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
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