Weakness and Strength: How to Let God Redeem Our Weaknesses

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV

I hate looking weak and being a 5’3″ woman doesn’t help that perception. Maybe that is why I like martial arts so much. I feel strong, confident, like I could kick some rear when I wear my do bok.

Since I want to feel and look strong, I don’t want to admit an injury. Perhaps that is why in July when I injured my foot sparring I didn’t tell anyone and then broke boards with it. Maybe it is why I don’t want anyone to notice the giant boot on my foot or the crazy way I limp…

Weakness confirms my deeply held fear of not being enough. My fear that if I really do try I may really fail. And even though I tell my kids that we only fail when we don’t get up and try again, I struggle to believe it.

But strength isn’t what pleases God.

God’s smile isn’t for the healthy hiker who boasts he made the journey alone.  It’s for the crippled beggar who begs God for a back on which to ride. Max Lucado

God’s strength is seen best in my weakness. When I am strong in myself, others can only give me glory. When  God does something magnificent in my weakness, then God gets the glory. God doesn’t want His children to try to run this marathon of life by themselves. No, He is looking for children to beg for a ride. Not because we are not warriors, but because we are His children. We put on the armor God gives us, and trust God to fight the battle through us.

God redeems our weakness when we stop hiding our weaknesses and ask for help – not only from God, but from His children as well. When we ask for prayer, help with physical needs, or just share our struggles, others can see God working in our lives. His story is proclaimed and our weakness is only secondary. Our weaknesses are gifts of grace where we get to see God’s strength in our lives.

Father God, thank You for loving me. Lord so often I am weak and tired and I really don’t like it. But when I look toward You in my weaknesses and ask You for strength, You always provide. Help me to continually seek Your strength, may I never hide my weaknesses and so attempt to steal Your glory. Instead help me admit my weaknesses and point to Your strength at all times. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.