I don’t know about you, but I fight weakness tooth and nail. I don’t want to be sick, in pain, depressed, grieving, helpless, any of it. Our culture promotes strength, intelligence and independence. But what if you can’t have some of that? What if you are in the middle of a wave of weakness?
When I read about Paul celebrating his weakness, I want to believe this was once in his lifetime, rather than a continuous celebration. I think of it as the one time he realized he could celebrate his weakness because he saw Christ’s strength in it, and the rest of the time he could feel strong and independent. Of course, that’s not the case at all when you really think about it.
I have seen waves of weakness in my life. And please hear me—I don’t think this weakness is a punishment. I see it as going deeper with Jesus. This is the price of buying deeper relationship. Just like in going deeper in relationship with a person, there is vulnerability, sacrifice and weakness in which we can support each other or walk away. This is imperative for our relationship with God also to go deeper.
We learn in contrast, and we won’t know or appreciate the good without the bad. I don’t recognize I’m enjoying health until I’m sick. I don’t think about the financial provision of God for my life until I’m lacking and needing Him to show up in that department. I forget about His comfort until I need it in my grief and sadness. Betrayal and rejection allow me to really appreciate the never-ending love He has for me, and the fact that nothing can separate me from His love.
These waves of weakness come throughout life, not just once or twice. We have a choice when we experience them—either we get bitter and angry about the weakness, or we move into recognizing Christ’s strength in them and rejoice.
As I write this, I’m struggling through a painful sinus infection. My head feels like it’s going to explode most of the day. I feel weak, and I don’t like it. I want to be healthy and moving forward at a good pace. But I can either choose to focus on the illness and frustration I feel about it, or focus back on Jesus and the strength He provides in my weakness. The reason nothing is impossible in my life isn’t because I am particularly able—it’s because God is able. Weakness just reminds me of that, and for that I’m thankful.
So, today, I’ll choose to rejoice in whatever weakness I find myself, knowing it ushers me back to the Life within who has plenty of strength for whatever I face.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to relieve me of this. But he answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.” So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me. So I’m not defeated by my weakness, but delighted! For when I feel my weakness and endure mistreatment—when I’m surrounded with troubles on every side and face persecution because of my love for Christ—I am made yet stronger. For my weakness becomes a portal to God’s power. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10