2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Real Strength
Here is what the Lord told me, “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.” Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size – abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (The Message)
You know these phrases, “Only the strong shall survive” and “You have to be strong” and others.
And there is this whole school of thought that we have to teach everyone, especially kids, to hide, ignore, and avoid their weaknesses – only emphasize our strengths. How many times do we hear parents tell children, “Don’t cry” or “Stop crying”?
To be weak or to acknowledge weakness is associated with defeat. From NFL stadiums, to office cubicles to schoolyards, with our health, and even in churches, there cannot be any weakness – we just can’t have it. Right???
Somewhere along the way we learn or are taught that weakness is something to be hidden or avoided.
We have to be strong (whether we feel like it or not) and we have to project strength (whether true or not).
We have to cover up weaknesses so that no one knows.
Why?
Maybe it’s because we equate our strength with our sense of control. If we are strong, we come to believe that we control life to a certain extent.
Maybe it’s because weakness makes us and other feel uncomfortable. Maybe it makes us all feel like there is something wrong; especially if the “normative” state of things is “everything is ok, I am ok.”
Maybe it’s because in the times of our lives when we have felt weak, it just feels terrible and we never want to feel like that again.
I had an appendicitis when I was 23. I was lying on the floor of Jenny’s college apartment (we had plans to go to the Jersey shore for the weekend), writhing with the cramps that accompany a near-bursting appendix. And Jenny was on the phone with my Dad (EMT) who was trying to do an over the phone diagnosis. But the experience is something I will never forget. I felt so weak and broken. And about an hour later they carried me down the stairs in a stretcher – nothing of my own strength or power.
But you know, it’s not just a physical ailment that has the experience of weakness. When we lose a job or on the brink of losing a job we feel powerless. When loved ones are going through difficult times (they feel weak) but so do we as we can only watch (and pray). What about having a disease that takes life and living away? What about being one of the only people in your family or circle of friends who has an addiction and feeling like you can’t tell anyone? When people struggle with loneliness and just can’t find people to connect with. And you and I can think of many more scenarios in which people feel weak, but somehow still feel the need to project strength.
But then there is this idea from Paul.
“Here is what the Lord told me, “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.” Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size – abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (The Message)
It’s opposite day!
Glad to let weaknesses happen? Taking limitations such as abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks, in stride and with good cheer?
All based on the strength of Christ coming into its own in our weakness? In other words, we would never know the strength of Christ unless we acknowledge that we are weak.
But isn’t this dangerous? What if we acknowledged that we weren’t strong enough? What if we opened up and told people that we are weak? Wouldn’t people look at us differently and distance themselves?
They might. But hear Paul’s words again. “The weaker I get, the stronger I become.” It’s the very opposite of what we think and do.
Remember this, to save us, Jesus, the Son of God, Second Person of the Trinity, didn’t overwhelm enemies with His power (which He could have). How did He save us? By dying on the cross. It overturned (and still does today) all the worldly thinking of strength and power. God’s grace and power were fully evident in the powerless One on the cross, His death and the resurrection.
Rejoicing in our defeats and weaknesses because it is in and through them that God is more evident and we find real strength. Celebrating when we are down and crushed because we know that Christ is going to do something amazing through it – and that it will be visible. Delighting in our mistakes and failures because that is when I am going to experience what it is really like to need and know God.
When we truly depend on Him (and let go of our strength and power) – that is when we find real strength for life and for living.
It just might make all the difference. We have tried and tried on our own strength – sometimes it works, often it doesn’t. And when it hasn’t we just live in the illusion that our strength was enough.
But as Dr. Phil would say, “Is that working for you?”
God bless you today. I am praying that this might be “opposite day” for you.
Amen.
Discussion Questions
- Why do we find it so hard to acknowledge needing God and others?
- Can you remember where you learned about “being strong”? How has that shaped your life?
- Have there been times when you have felt weak but thanks to God, have been strong?
- What is one area of your life that you can say today – I am weak and I need help from God and others?
Living Water 