“Don’t let anybody see you sweat.” That was a famous line from a marketing campaign for anti-persperant. What they were really saying is don’t let anyone see your weakness. Society says you have to be strong even though you don’t have the strength to show it. It is said if you show weakness, people will pounce on it and take advantage of you. Paul takes the opposite point of view and tells us to find power through our weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Power Through Our Weakness
Jesus shows his power through our weakness. Where we are weak, he is strong. He still works through our strengths and abilities, but he often chooses to manifest himself through our weaknesses so that he can be glorified. If God continually worked through our strengths, we would start to battle pride. When he works through our weaknesses, we can’t take the credit.
Grace is Sufficient
Paul had a thorn in his flesh. We don’t know what that was specifically, but it was something that caused him great pain. He took it to the Lord, but the answer always came back “My grace is sufficient.” Paul learned to continue in the work God had for him. He realized that God often chooses to work in our weaknesses rather than our strengths. Because of this, he boasted in his weaknesses. He had witnessed God’s power through his weakness.
Boast in the Lord
Whether we have a physical illness or someone is attacking us, we can boast in the Lord because His grace is all that we need. Where we are weak, He is strong in our lives. Don’t boast about what you can do but what the Lord has done through you. Paul was much happier with the power of Christ upon him than any accomplishment he had. Boast about what the Lord has done for you and through you. Sing his praises and revel in his goodness. Taking the focus off of ourselves tends to bring more joy into our daily walk. Watch as God shows his power through our weaknesses.