14 Jun 2010
I have weaknesses
When I am weak I am strong
Yesterday I was talking about sin and the tendency we all have to want to make ourselves look better than we are.
I am grateful that the writers of the Bible were much more honest than we tend to be.
In particular I take great comfort from some of Paul’s writing.Another favourite passage of mine is 2 Corinthians 12:
7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Numerous people have had theories about what Paul’s thorn was, but I’m glad he didn’t tell us, it makes it easier for me to identify with him.
Have you noticed how easy it is to criticize people who have different weaknesses to you? I don’t understand alcoholism or eating disorders because they simply are not things I have had to battle with.
However I do have my own battles.
The more I talk to people the more I am convinced that we all do.
We all have areas where it’s not as simple as just making choices. We are dangerous when we can’t admit them to ourselves or others.
I have plenty of weaknesses. Sometimes I try to pretend I don’t.
I love God’s response to Paul. It’s not the response I really want to hear, but it is the response I need to hear.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”