Dear Woodland Hills Family,
Back aches, headaches, and heartaches. Why so many aches in life?
The Apostle Paul was no stranger to weakness — he met hardship at every turn: beatings, imprisonments, life-threatening dangers, hunger, cold and exposure… Then there was that intense ache, that groaning in his soul when one of his flock was stumbling. As if these were not enough, he was afflicted with a severe infirmity in his own body.
Over time, though, he came to see weakness not as foe but as friend. How?
- His weakness meant others’ faith could not possibly rest on his wisdom, eloquence, or strength, but only on the power of God (1Co 2:3-5).
- His weakness meant God would get the credit for any of his successes (1 Cor 1:29).
- What’s more, being weak meant the power of Christ would show up — that His power would actually take up residence in him (2 Cor 12:9).
Weakness Principle # 2: weakness is the canvas that best displays God’s strength.
Everything in us resists weakness. We are determined to overcome it or offset it. The last thing we want to do is accept it!
But when we acknowledge and welcome our weakness it becomes an occasion to put God’s strength on display; we safeguard ourselves from stealing His fame in whatever we might accomplish; and the power of Christ takes up residence in us.
Personally, I’m seeing weakness in a whole new light. I am coming to the place of no longer despising my weaknesses, mitigating against them, or pretending they aren’t there. I am resolving instead to acknowledge them and welcome them. How about you?
Blessings,
