From the Pulpit: 'For when I am weak, then I am strong'
I’ve been thinking recently about spiritual fitness. How do we get spiritually fit? Which leads me to ask the question, why do we go to the gym? To get fit. We build muscle by putting resistance on whatever part of our body we are working on. The more resistance, the more we will grow in our fitness.
This translates beautifully to the spiritual side of things. The more resistance put on our faith, the more it grows. James 1:2-3 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” When our faith is tested, or stretched, it grows. When we are put in a situation where the only option we have is to trust God, our faith in Him grows tremendously. Much like muscle grows under pressure, so does our faith.
So many of us were raised to believe we have to be strong. Men are expected to be strong, never-wavering. The only emotions we are allowed to show are toughness and grit. Women, you’re expected to be strong and independent. We have to be strong for our spouse, our children, our family. But what is strength really? I would argue that true strength is humility.
True strength is admitting that you are weak.
There’s a passage in 2 Corinthians 12, where Paul is pleading with God to remove a thorn in his side. Three times, Paul makes this plea, and three times he is denied. God responds to Paul by saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness.” Paul would go on to write, just a few verses later, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” God’s power is made perfect in our weaknesses. So today, in whatever area you are feeling like you are not enough, remember that God is. Let’s get into the habit of boasting in our weakness, in our inabilities and allow God to show off in ways that only He can.