Real strength

I know the truth that in my weakness He is strong. I've heard it, I believe it, but today I was battling discouragement from the utter weakness I feel - spiritually, physically, and emotionally. I told Dave that things I used to enjoy I can't even do well anymore...so many areas are now weaknesses. I added some pictures to my wall and stood back and almost cried - they looked ridiculous...I just can't even think about how to make it look right. I was thinking today that I need to begin thinking about cooking again and feeding my family. But I'm not even sure I remember how to cook well. It's very humbling, very. And the truth is that I can't do anything about it...this is who I am right now. So, what do I do? I can shrink up in self-pity and despair OR I can instead look up to the One who will help me do all the things that He wants me to and knows that I need to do. It might look differently than I want it to, but He promises to help me. Yes, it is humbling, but I know it is intended to be that way so that all glory goes to the One who is worthy of it. If I thought I was the one doing what I do, I would be temped to take the credit. So, instead I am fighting to give thanks tonight that I am so weak. Because my weakness is teaching me so much about my Savior.

Tonight I came across this quote. It shed a whole new light on the scripture it references and brought a calm to my soul...indeed, it is a blessing to be weak. For in it, I know strength that I have never, no never, experienced before.

"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will glory 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

There is a blessing in weakness--because it nourishes dependence on God. When we are strong, or deem ourselves strong--we are really weak, since then we trust in ourselves, and do not seek Divine help. But when we are consciously weak, knowing ourselves unequal to our duties and struggles--we are strong, because then we turn to Christ, and get His strength.

Too many people think that their weakness a barrier to their usefulness; or make it an excuse for doing little with their life. Instead of this, however, if we give it to Christ--He will transform our weakness into strength. He says that His power is made perfect in weakness; that is, what is lacking in human strength--He fills and makes up with divine strength. Paul had learned this, when he said that he now gloried in his weaknesses, because on account of them--the strength of Christ rested upon him, so that, when he was weak--then he was strong--strong with Divine strength.

We need only to make sure of one thing--that we do indeed bring our weakness to Christ, and lean on Him in simple faith. This is the vital link in getting the blessing. Weakness itself is a burden; it is like chains upon our limbs. If we try to carry it alone--we shall only fail. But if we lay it on the strong Son of God--and let Him carry us and our burden, going on quietly and firmly in the way of duty--He will make our very weakness--a secret source of strength. He will not take the weakness from us--that is not His promise--but He will so fill it with His own power--that we shall be strong, more than conquerors, able to do all things through Christ, who strengthens us!

This is the blessed secret of having our burdening weakness, transformed into strength. The secret can be found only in Christ. And in Him--it can be found by every humble, trusting disciple. - J.R. Miller