“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Cor. 12:9-10
Met the weakest woman in the world? If you know me, surely you have. That’s how I feel anyway. Like the weakest of all. I am so weak in so many ways it astounds me I can get through the day – and come out the other end with love, joy, peace, hope, etc. Let alone accomplish a single thing the Lord sets before me. Or make a decision, deal with a worry, confront a challenge, make it over a hurdle, face an obstacle, do even the most basic of things. To make it through a single day for me can seem insurmountable. I’m that weak. To deal with relationship issues, difficult friendships, hard to love people, mean people, ministry challenges, financial needs, caring for special needs dogs, even these things which are so minute compared with the challenges most of this world faces, let alone the bigger challenges I have faced too like death, tragedy, abuse, rejection, PTSD, addictions, etc. I’m so weak it’s a wonder I’ve overcome anything. So what do you think about all this weak business? Not a popular subject, is it? We’re not taught to say how weak we are, or to tell others to be weak, or to let our weaknesses show, or to even admit to ourselves we’re weak, right? This world is all about success and appearance, is it not? So why would I want to tell you I feel like the weakest woman in the world?
For one single reason. Admitting my weakness, being totally comfortable with it and willing to talk about it, acknowledging and accepting it, looking it right in the face instead of looking around it or burying it somewhere I and nobody else can see, it’s been one of the most freeing things I’ve ever done in my entire life. Because of the Lord Jesus Christ. Because of God almighty. Because of the Spirit of God. Because of the Word of God, the Bible. Because when I admit my utter weakness, I open the door wide for God’s amazing strength. When I admit my need, God gives me His strength. When I brag about my weakness, then God’s glory shines in and through me. When I know for a fact how weak I am, then I turn to Christ for His strength. When I am at my weakest, and know it, I have that much more capacity for God to fill me up with His strength. For when I know I am absolutely nothing and useless and purposeless and utterly defeated and empty and broken without the Lord Jesus Christ, I know that He is absolutely everything I need and turn my heart and life over into His safe and loving beautiful hands. How weak are you?