When I’m Weak I’m Strong
Each time he said, “No. But I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people.” Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am; I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ’s power, instead of showing off my own power and abilities.
Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite happy about “the thorn,” and about insults and hardships, persecutions and difficulties; for when I am weak, then I am strong—the less I have, the more I depend on him. (2 Cor 12:9-11)
The Apostle Paul penned these immortal and seemingly contradictory words thousands of years ago but still ring as true now as they did then.
What Does that Mean
What does it mean ‘for when I am weak, then I am strong;’ how is it possible?
When you are weak and come to the end of yourself and rely on God’s strength, then you are strong.
If you see yourself as being powerful in your own capabilities, you are seduced to manage God’s job yourself. However, when you are deficient and weak, and you allow God to use you by instilling His power within you, then, you are more powerful than you could be on your own.
Example of Gideon
One of my favorite examples of someone doing more in God’s power than he ever could in his own power is the account of Gideon. Gideon was one of Israel’s Judges who defeated the massive Midianite army with only 300 soldiers. Look below at the conversation between God and Gideon…
‘Pardon me, my lord,’ Gideon replied, ‘but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.’ The Lord answered, ‘I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none [of them] alive.’” (Judges 6:15-16)
The Midianites were the dominate military power of the time. It would have been extremely unlikely that any Israelite leader could have defeated them on their own. Just to make sure that no one could make that claim, God chose the weakest man from the weakest clan to lead the army…and whittled down the army to just 300 soldiers. Everyone knew that Gideon did this great accomplishment in God’s power that he never could have done in his own power.
Too Big for Your Britches
You can be too big for your britches for God to use. Some of you are big and strong and can do a lot on your own. However, what you can accomplish is limited to how much power you have. When God asks you to do something impossible, you will not follow because you know it is impossible or you will do it your way and not be successful.
On the flip side, if you are weak and you know it, but you trust God, then you are someone that God can use…and what you can accomplish is limitless. You are limitless because it is God working through you…and He is limitless.
What Have You Missed Out On
Have you ever wondered what you might have missed out on because you did not trust in God’s power? Have you ever sensed God leading you somewhere, but you are afraid to follow because you knew you weren’t good enough or thought the odds just weren’t in your favor? The good news is that it isn’t too late. As the old saying goes, “The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago, the second-best time is right now. If you sense God calling, trust in His power and strike out.”
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