“Study Head of a Woman,” 1745, Jean Baptiste Greuze. Image from a page of the 2014 Desk Calendar, courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store

Power in weakness is not as strange as it may seem, for sometimes we are our most powerful when we are weak…

“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.”  2 Corinthians 12:9

I am sure you’ll agree that power comes in many forms, both physically and mentally.  It can be manifested in both positive and negative ways.  The same can be said about weakness.  As our bodies become tired and frail, or when we feel vulnerable and uncertain about a situation, we do not always make the wisest choices and fail to accomplish our goals.  With power and weakness being such opposites, how can we possibly gain one from the other?

The answer to achieving power in weakness has less to do with what we receive, but rather what we give away.  When I feel in control and on top of things, I seem to get into a groove and everything runs relatively smoothly.  The more I continue on in my own strength, the more self-reliant I become and that is fine, to a point.  All  of a sudden, and it inevitably happens, I am faced with some challenge that knocks me right to my knees.  At that point, I am literally in the perfect position to make a choice.  I can wallow in my weakness and receive more grief from whatever it is I am holding on to, trying to fix it myself.  Or I can give the problem over to God in prayer and receive His strength and power to go on.  Power in weakness?

Indeed, power in weakness is not as strange as it sounds, for sometimes we are our most powerful when we are weak.  In our weakness we can do nothing…but when it leads us to God, He has the power to do all things.

May your weakness lead you to seek the power that only God can give.

Peace and love,

Felecia