Strength out of Weakness

I’ve always had difficulty in dealing with folk whose theology says that if we are spiritual enough, if our faith is strong enough, then either God will keep us from experiencing “bad things,” or, if we have to deal with difficulties, He will respond to our prayers and make things right.

Just recently, after sharing my story with a group, someone reminded me that if my faith was strong, God would answer my prayers. I replied that I, too, believe that God listens and responds to my prayers, but not always in ways I can understand or would choose. I cited the example of Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane when He prayed for the “cup” to be removed. But His prayer was not answered in the way He prayed.

I imagine that some of the Apostle Paul’s opponents in Corinth had the same theology. They valued strength and power and eschewed human weakness. But Paul was aware of his humanity and marveled at how God used his weakness to accomplish His purpose for Paul. In fact, in 2 Corinthians 11:23-29, Paul catalogues his weaknesses and suffering.

He reminds the Corinthians that we live in a broken world and only in heaven will we trade in this vulnerable body for the perfect, pain-free body. In the meantime, God uses the pains of this fallen world as a conduit for the empowering comfort of God. And through this comfort, we are able to comfort and minister to others.

Paul implied that the most difficult of circumstances teach us the most profound lesson of life—that we must learn to depend on God alone, not on ourselves. Paul talks about his “thorn in the flesh” and prayed for its removal. But, at the end of the day, God used Paul’s pain as a channel of His grace and empowerment and to teach him invaluable lessons about life.

So, I’m not ashamed to show my humanity. God knows I’ve demonstrated it over and over throughout life. But, like Paul, I have discovered that my sufferings, my imperfect humanity, have put me in a position to receive divine power. Out of death, I will receive life; out of my weakness comes God’s empowerment.

The temptation for most of us is to hide our weaknesses and boast in our strengths. Yet, Paul would testify that against the backdrop of our weaknesses God’s grace and power shine the brightest.

I am not divine. My weaknesses and lack of faith are all too evident. I am, at times, all too human. But as I embrace my humanity, God is able to bring strength from my weakness. “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

How can you pray for me? Pray that I will acknowledge my weakness (not as a way of boasting, but a way of being honest) and that I will allow God to use my weaknesses as a medium of His grace and power.