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    by Rebecca Livermore

Take Pleasure in Weakness
Date Posted: May 30, 2007

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 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” (2 Corinthians 12:9,10 NKJV).

I don't know about you, but I don't take pleasure in weakness. I want to be strong, healthy, and vibrant! I want to be someone who is admired for having it all together and being able to accomplish a lot.

Perhaps that is one reason God has seen fit to allow me a life filled with chronic pain. Outwardly I look normal and most people would never suspect that some days it is difficult for me to focus because of the pain I'm in.

I could wallow in my circumstances and wonder why God doesn't heal me. And in fact, I've done that on more than one occasion and still do it at times. But instead, today I choose to say, "God, Your grace is sufficient for me. I thank You, Father, that my strength is being perfected in weakness." When I do that, an amazing thing happens -- His strength is indeed perfected in my weakness, and I'm able to do things I could never do on my own.

As reluctant as I am to rejoice in my weaknesses, I can rejoice when I consider that my weaknesses cause me to depend more on God. When I’m utterly weak, broken, and clueless, I have no other choice, really, than to run to God for help. In those kinds of situations, I have to depend completely on Him if I want to accomplish whatever needs to be done.

Coming to terms with the fact that in and of ourselves, we are weak, and can’t do anything is one of the most important steps to being used by God.

Weakness is not valued in our society. But from a spiritual perspective, embracing weakness goes a long way in allowing God’s amazing, abundant, and unlimited power to be manifested through us.

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather run the race set before me in God’s strength, rather than my own. After all, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13) and I can do absolutely nothing apart from Him (John 15:5).

Father, we pray that You will help us to take pleasure in our weakness. Help us to look to you for strength every day and in every situation. Amen

Thought: Which areas of life do you tend rely on your own strength? Which areas of life do you readily admit that you need God’s help? Bring both of these areas to God, either in prayer or in your journal. Then stand back and be amazed at how God works through your weakness as you depend wholly on Him.

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Biography Information:
Rebecca Livermore is a speaker and freelance writer from Denver, Colorado. Her passion is helping people grow spiritually. To learn more about her ministry, and to read her articles on spiritual disciplines, visit http://www.rebeccalivermore.com.