Weakness into Strength

Devotional Reading: 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

When somebody says your name, what do they think? That you’re smart? Introverted? Funny? A failure? Your money or lack thereof?

We all have labels that have been placed on us. Some are negative and others positive. When I was growing up I was known to be an introvert. That may sound insignificant to you but for me, it actually affected my confidence in a significant way.

What labels have others placed on you, or even labels you may have placed on yourself? Shy, Dyslexic, Loudmouth, Unqualified, Overwhelmed? Whatever the label that has been placed upon you, God desires to speak into them.

There was a man named Ehud, Son of Gera the Benjamite, who was a left-handed man. These are the only two things we know about Him. Over-time this became a problem for Ehud because in those times, to be left-handed meant you were awkward and evil. Being bullied for a name like this slowly would have begun to define Ehud and label him.

But Ehud’s story is written for a reason. In fact God calls him to go see the King of his enemies, who had had his people in oppression for 18 years. He takes a double-edged sword and conceals it on his right thigh, and awaits the presence of the King. (You can read up his story in Judges 3:20-23)

Despite the gruesome details of the story, I want to show you something profound: The same hand that was a label of weakness, was used as a hand of strength! Although he was left-handed, it was his left hand that he used to defeat the enemy. God used the label of limitation as a label of liberation to set free a whole nation!

Imagine what God desires to do with your weaknesses. It is time that we change our opinions on our weaknesses. Rather than viewing them as a disadvantage or fault, what if we saw them as an opportunity for God to use? In fact what the enemy wants to use for your shame, God wants to use for His glory.

So don’t try to quit it, submit it. As a result, the shy can become confident, dyslexia can be used for creativity, being a loudmouth can be harnessed for boldness, the unqualified will have humility and the overwhelmed will turn fear into faith.

In essence, if you want to become what God wants you to be you have to become weaker. Because His power is made perfect in your weakness! The weakness we have is the Key to accessing God’s power

Prayer and Confession
Thank you Jesus because you care about me, and not just that, but that you are particular my weakness. Help me to see the strength you are building from it. Amen!

Further Reading: 1Corinthians 1:27-29
Reading the Gospels: Luke 16-18