When We Are Weak, God Makes Us Strong

Inside: Instead of viewing our weaknesses as obstacles or burdens, what if we saw them as opportunities to depend on God’s strength? ~

A while back, I received a group-chat message from a friend in my writing critique group. She was discouraged, and understandably so.

As I cooled down after my morning run, thinking about what I might say to her, my mind flashed back to a few especially exhausting and stressful seasons of my own life.

My prayers during those times were filled with requests for strength. Drawing from the truths of scripture, I regularly reminded God and myself that His strength is made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). That apart from Him I can do nothing (John 15:5). That when I am weak, He makes me strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Not that He needed reminding, of course. That was all for me.

The Source of Our Strength

My friend is strong in many ways. I greatly admire how she has managed and grown through daunting challenges in her life and in the lives of her loved ones.

But she was about to enter an environment where she didn’t feel prepared. So in a quick text, I told her I’d be praying that God’s strength would be made perfect in her weakness.

And then I realized the message wasn’t just for her. I needed this reminder too.

Thankfully, I’m not feeling weak like I was back when these words were always present in my prayers. At certain times and in certain ways, though, I do feel unprepared. Inadequate. Even a bit incompetent.

Perhaps You Can Relate

I don’t know about you, but I’m trying not to let my insecurities and weaknesses (real or imagined) bog me down right now. I’m holding my plans and expectations loosely. I’m taking one step at a time, trusting that God will equip me for what comes next.

It helps when I can look back and see how He carried me through the hardest of times. How His peace sustained me during situations that were far from peaceful. How He opened doors that needed to be opened, just when they needed to be opened.

He’s done it before, and I believe He can do it again. For me, and also for you.

God Knows What You Need

I don’t know what you need today. Maybe it’s actual physical strength. Perhaps it’s mental resilience, emotional stability, spiritual wisdom or relational endurance.

Whatever it is, God knows.

He has wired each one of us in a particular way. He’s given each of us specific gifts and abilities.

But He’s also designed us with weaknesses—some apparent, others not so much—that require us to depend on Him.

We look at our weaknesses as, well, weaknesses. But maybe we should look at them as opportunities to rely on God’s strength. To trust in His provision. To allow Him to work things out in ways we never would have expected.

That’s how I’m choosing to look at it anyway. Want to join me?

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Inspire Me Monday, #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.