Rejoicing in Weakness
By Jennifer Slattery
“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.” 2 Corinthians 12:10
Some have called me stubborn. Perhaps my bull-headedness comes from being a child of the seventies. Regardless, my fierce self-reliance can hinder my growth and my relationship with Christ and others.
My father was a wrestling coach, so I grew up watching him lead practices where he pushed his athletes past their perceived capabilities. Often, I benefited from his keen insight into the human psyche and, like his high school trainees, attempted to rise to whatever challenge he set. I interpreted, “I bet you can’t” to mean, “Show me can.” While this got me through much adversity, it also fed my pride.
By adulthood, I’d made my fitness level my god and identity. Then, in 2011, I became sick. Not only did I lack the energy to train, run, or lift a single weight; some days I spent most of my time in bed. In my weakness, I needed help from others and God.
At first, this shook me. I lost sight of who I was—for a time. But ultimately, as I continually drew closer to Christ, I discovered who I was—in Him. More than that, I learned weakness wasn’t something shameful to be avoided. Rather, it was something inherent to the human condition, something that draws mankind to Jesus and one another. As we rely on our brothers and sisters in Christ, we reveal a supernatural love, and as we lean on God, we proclaim its source.
Our world often idolizes strength and independence, but Scripture proclaims a different message. The Bible tells us, when we are weak, we are strong for God’s strength is perfected within us. Therefore, we have no cause for embarrassment. Rather, may we boldly proclaim our frailties, so that others may see Christ—His strength and power—in us.
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Jennifer Slattery is a writer, editor, speaker, and the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries. She writes for Crosswalk, iBelieve is a multi-published author of Hometown Healing among other titles who also writes articles, Bible studies, and devotions. When not writing, reading, or editing, Jennifer loves going on mall outings with her adult daughter and coffee dates with her hilariously fun husband. Visit her online at jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com or book her for your next women’s event.
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