At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he 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. [2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (MSG)]
“I can do it all by myself!” the toddler exclaims as he tries unsuccessfully to tie his shoes. We continue with similar exclamations throughout our lives: “I can do it on my own! I don’t need any help! I’m just fine!” Real trials however, challenge that belief. They prove we can’t do it on our own, we do need help, and we’re anything but fine.
We rarely think of our troubles as cause for rejoicing, yet Paul did. He wasn’t a masochist; he was a realist. Our troubles, like his, teach us what is really important and what it is that we truly need in our lives. It certainly isn’t possessions, wealth, or status; more important, it’s not self. Hardships make us come face to face with our limitations and vulnerability. It’s when we’re at wit’s end, at the “end of our rope” and can tolerate it no longer, that we finally acknowledge our weakness: no matter how strong we are, we are simply not strong enough. We come to understand that there needs to be less of us (our inflated egos and feelings of self-sufficiency) and a whole lot more of God! Paul’s words teach us that we must live life not independent of God, but rather in dependence upon Him! It is only when we finally acknowledge our weakness and let God take over that we will find the strength we need.
Father, give us joyful hearts when we must endure adversity and difficulties. Reassure us that victory will only come when we admit that, on our own, we are defeated. May we live our lives in joyful dependence on you knowing that, when your Holy Spirit fills us, we will, indeed, be strong.
Devotions of the Heart 