The stories we admire and victories we seem to remember the most all involve epic tales of the hero overcoming a weakness, facing an impossible situation, and turning a breakdown into a breakthrough.
And I wanted to tell you about an epic story when I was weak and God helped me climb my Mt. Everest or some other crazy feat where I overcame a giant and came out a victorious hero.
I wanted to, I really did.
But I don’t think that our weaknesses have to be some insurmountable trial God helps us overcome to show His power. Because if I’m honest, my weaknesses work against me. Every. Single. Day.
I’m reminded of how strong God TRULY is in my everyday, never-ending moments of weakness. Because I need God just as much on my best day as I do on my worst day.
I’m weak. And I get it wrong constantly. Some days (maybe most days) I say something and immediately regret it. Some days I overanalyze. Some days I mess up at my job. Some days I wonder what my purpose is. Some days I keep my distance from God. Some days I say yes to too many things. Some days I want to give up. Some days I try so hard to win everywhere I don’t win anywhere.
The list goes on. And on. And on.
But here’s the thing: If you look for your weaknesses, you’ll see your weaknesses. If you look for God’s power…you’ll see His power everywhere. Nothing can move in your weakness but God. Not a thing. Without Him, we are powerless. We’re nearly good for nothing.
In Corinthians, Paul writes about asking God to take away some affliction or struggle. God replied, “…My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV).
The good news is not only is God sufficient…He changes everything. He breaks the chains our weaknesses hold against us. He strengthens us. He loves us more than we could ever know or fathom. Our weakness is where God’s power is made perfect. It is when we are weak that we can be strong in faith. In that weakness God’s power gives us what we need to overcome the obstacle we’re facing.
And it’s easy to want to get rid of our weaknesses. To hide them from the world. To pretend they don’t exist. To shove them down until they go away. And our culture—now more than ever—makes it easy. We put our best photo up on our Instagram accounts. The picture perfect and filtered version of ourselves, begging the question to others, am I enough? Seeking encouragement. Seeking affirmation. Seeking power. Seeking strength.
But as I read recently in Louie Giglio’s book, I Am Not But I Know I Am, he explains that for every cry there is one answer from God…I am.
I need hope. I am.
Who could possibly be smart enough to figure all this out? I am.
What works? I am.
What lasts? I am.
What’s the latest thing? I am.
What’s the hippest thing? I am.
I need a fresh start. I am.
I need a bigger story. I am.
Nothing is real anymore. I am.
Who can I trust? I am.
I’m not sure who’s on my team. I am.
Nobody is listening to me. I am.
I don’t have a prayer. I am.
My marriage is sinking and I don’t know where to turn. I am.
I’ve always hoped for a marriage and a future but I don’t know what’s gonna come. I am.
I can’t hold on. I am.
I’m pouring into others, who’s pouring into me? I am.
If we fail, who will get the job done? I am.
I’m not sure why I’m here. I am.
I’ve given all I can give but it’s not enough. I am.
I’m tired. I am.
I quit. I am.
I need a fix. I am.
I need a lover. I am.
I just need somebody to hold me. I am.
God is the power to overcome your weakness. He is the answer. He’s big enough for your struggle you can’t shake, for your expectation you can’t meet, for your goal you can’t hit, for your strength that won’t sustain you…He is. He is the hope. He is the resurrection. He is the life. He is literally anything you could possibly need. In your weakness, He is strong.
Where do you need God to show up? Acknowledge it. Write about it, talk to a friend about it, but most importantly…talk to God about it and ask Him to show up. Ask Him to show His power, because He will and He does every time.
