Moments for the Heart

I came across a tweet this week that hit home. We often feel that as Christians we must remain strong because we have made our decision for Jesus and that “our strength is in the Lord.” But one verse stood out to me today: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. The tail end of that passage says, “… For when I am weak, then I am strong.” This is reminding us about God’s grace.

In this conversation with God, Paul is asking God to take away a weakness he has. We don’t know for sure what it is. Some speculate it is a speech impediment, others a physical ailment. In any case, God tells Paul that he must live with what he has, that His grace will get him through whatever weakness he has. Paul chooses to rejoice in that.

I, too, have my ailment, Epilepsy. I feel, like Paul, that it is a thorn in my flesh that I must work with that “the power of Christ will rest upon me” to minister to others. My weakness, like Paul’s, makes me strong to fulfill the calling God has on my life.

People look at Christians and see us as weak. Why? Because we won’t behave as the world does when attacked. There is a difference between being passive and choosing our battles. One of the struggles Paul speaks of is persecution for Christ’s sake. He sure dealt with it. If we don’t retaliate, we are not weak. In fact, not retaliating makes us strong. It takes more to not react.

Just as Paul boasts in his weakness, so can we. God is good. His grace is sufficient for us. His strength is perfect in our weakness. Stand strong and don’t let anyone get you to believe His grace is not enough. He delivered Paul, His grace will deliver you.

2 Corinthians 12:10 – “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.