I walked into the new year with such optimism. Fresh start. New beginnings. “I’m going to do it better this year!” My heart perceived it and then I audibly declared it. The new year started on a Monday and by Thursday I found myself in tears, lamenting my failures and short comings. I was angry and disgusted with myself and I was beating myself up inwardly. Been there?
Then, like a strong, warm hug, 2 Corinthians 12:9 & 10 wrapped me up.
“But He said to me, ‘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. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.’ ”
My weaknesses, shortcomings and even my failures remind me of my need for a perfect God. Only in my need for Him can I see His power. I love that the scripture says, “so that Christ’s power may rest on me”. That articulation is a reminder of the relationship we have with God.
When my own children face a challenging circumstance, they often run to me and lean on me. I rest my arm (and, figuratively, the weight of my experience, my authority, my ideas and solutions) on their shoulder. We rest on one another as a means of bringing comfort and reassurance. I see that picture in 2 Corinthians:
1. I am weak.
2. I run to and lean on Heavenly Father.
3. Heavenly Father rests His power on me.
4. I am strong because of my relationship to God.
Allow this to encourage you to seek after God without regret over your difficulties. Seek after Him knowing that because you are weak you get to see His power in your life. Forge ahead in the joy of the Lord.
~Trisha Bowman
Christ Fellowship member