I have had a heavy heart in recent days over so many in our church family who are going through difficult days: physical sufferings, loss of jobs, loss of loved ones, emotional struggles, disappointments, and more.  I have also been reading about people who have allowed God to use their weaknesses to bring about good and to take the broken moments to transform us and impact others. 

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV)

Weakness leading to strength? This idea is hard to understand.  It seems more like, "God helps those who help themselves!"  That's my humanness. So why does God ask me for my weakness?  Experience seems to show me that whatever I do in my own strength may get done, but it falls short of transforming me on the inside.  It seems like Paul is teaching us that anything that makes me weak or unable is an opportunity for God to show off His strength through me.

I admit that I have not figured all of that out and most of the time it doesn't make sense. But rather than be discouraged by that I have chosen to accept God's truth and to allow God to use me even when I doubt.

I am writing these words following great disappointment after leaving my surgeon's office and hearing disappointing news about my foot...it hasn't healed as quickly as I had hoped...and I still have to wear an elastic bandage that causes my foot to swell and be in pain...and to have to wear a plastic leg wrap another week or two whenever I shower!  WEAKNESS! 

But I have found that in my own strength, my own understanding, I get discouraged and defeated easily.  I soon realize how limited I am. I find that in order to overcome my weakness I really do have to stop and depend upon His strength.  I ask for that!

I am discovering that it is only when I bow before Him and humble my heart in the midst of my weaknesses that I can give over all of me to all of Him. True weakness is my emptiness without Him. If I can push past my disappointments and fears, I find that there is room for God to inhabit my heart and do things that I can never see in my weakness. 

I am praying the same for you this day! I also want to remind you today that you are loved and prayed for this week!

In my weakness...He is strong!