My Joyful Transformation: Weakness is My Strength
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Whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10 (NRSV)
How does this make sense?
Weakness is a negative attribute except, as I sang enthusiastically, for little children.
Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong. Yes! Jesus loves me. Yes! Jesus loves me.
The Sunday school song associated weakness with my young age. I grew and learned to be strong and successful through determination and hard work.
By adulthood, I was a good Christian. I did all the things a Christian should do. I attended church, baked cookies for coffee hour, participated in small group Bible study, donated canned goods to the food cupboard, delivered meals to new parents and bereaved families, and served on a church committee. That doesn’t include my roles in the local community and kids’ schools.
My schedule was chock full of good deeds, modeling kindness, generosity, and strength to my children. I encouraged them, “You can do anything you set your mind to.”
I did it all, until I couldn’t.
I fell into a pit and couldn’t climb out. Admitting I’d struggled with depression exposed weakness. I believed I was stronger (and better) than them. I didn’t need help.
I pulled myself out of each pit, until I couldn’t.
Thankfully a dear friend climbed into my pit and gently, persistently convinced me to seek help. Who me, the strong and capable woman? That, my friends, is pride. Depression was the first chink in my prideful facade.
I didn’t flaunt my achievements, but internally loved my capacity and others’ admiration of my dedication to serving. This was the Christian woman I aspired to be. But fatigue set in. Obediently loving people is good when it’s for the right purpose, but I had misguided motivation.
I desperately sought God’s approval, until He transformed my heart.
For some, transformation results in significant life change. In my case, bystanders didn’t observe a major shift as I continued volunteering. But friends noticed remarkable change that was worthy of comment.
Joy spilled over from humble surrender.
Transformation might be particularly difficult for a functional Christian who feels ‘holy’ by fulfilling the expected duties of the faithful. I performed those duties without including God. He was certainly present, He always is, but I pushed Him aside because I had things under control. I didn’t need help, even His.
We perceive needing help as a weakness and I’m still uncomfortable accepting it. When offered help as I juggle an armful of bags, books and drinks, I refuse, “I got it!” I’m proudly self-sufficient.
Pride is a mighty barrier to finding God. He abhors pride. (Search for pride in your Bible app or check some of these links: Prov 8:13; Prov 29:23; Prov 11:2; Isaiah 2:11: Dan 4:37; Amos 6:8)
So what changed in me?
I ceased striving and simply received His saving grace. I surrendered, humbled myself as incapable of being good. I’m forgiven, saved, washed, holy (whatever language you prefer) solely because God sees Jesus’ goodness in me. He is my Savior.
He is my Lord. I belong to Him and everything I have is a gift: my family of origin, experiences, skills and passions, time, finances. He has prepared and equipped me to serve in His kingdom.
I offer my life as a sacrifice, holy and pleasing for God’s use (Rom 12:1). I am His instrument, a channel He uses to love people. God puts me in the right place at the right time to serve His beloved children. The more adept I become at hearing and following His guiding voice, the more frequently He directs me.
What a thrill to be used by God! It’s not always easy. He sometimes challenges me out of my comfort zone. But if God has called me to it, He will strengthen and equip me.
Now may the God of peace… equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV
I find joy in God!
- Praising Him with awe and gratitude for His Goodness and Greatness
- Developing deep relationship with Him through His word
- Talking to the One who knows my heart and loves me anyway
- Knowing He is present with me always
- Observing His hand in my life (links to examples below)
- Receiving His inspiration as He speaks these words through my fingers
Are you missing this joy?
If so, reply to this email.
I’d love to share some with you.
Click for God-incidences:
- God provided a blog about how the resurrection changes everything
- God comforted me in a time of tragic grief
- God answered my prayer with a hymn
#SeedsofScripture #scripturestudy #readthebiblebetter #apostlepaul #transformed #obediencetoGod #Godswillbedone #servingGod #pridebeforethefall #humilityoverpride #joyofthelordismystrength #weaknessisstrength
What a rich post! I transferred many thoughts that met me today to my journal. Thank you.
I’m glad God spoke to you enough to prompt journal notes. That’s a huge compliment and means I’m doing just what God wants me to be doing. It’s great to hear when a post speaks to someone’s heart. Thanks for letting me know.
Thank you for sharing this! We all try to do it our way until we realize the true way is God’s way.
I think it might be harder for us who grew up in the church because we’re checking all the boxes of discipleship, but haven’t surrendered. It’s so hard to admit we’re dust.
Thanks for chiming in with a comment. I love to hear from you.
Your path is similar to mine. I’m so grateful our Lord Jesus loves us unendingly. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for engaging Marjorie! I love hearing from readers. I’m grateful for His patience and persistence. In hindsight I can see Him trying and trying to ‘straighten me out’ when I wasn’t hearing it. I’m glad you’ve found His strength.
Finding out we can’t do anything without Christ is the first step toward His strength. Thank you, Cathy!
Yes, Barbara, but this is very hard to explain to someone who hasn’t experienced it. We have a false sense of being in control, of being self-sufficient and strong. I can only share my own story in order to convince someone of this first step.
Amen sweet sister-in-Christ. Our weakness allows His strength to minister to us, as we learn to rely upon God rather than ourselves. So many great truths here. Some, I have faced in similar ways. Others, I’m still a work in progress too. Praise God, we all are. Thank you for your transparency and truth Ms. Cathy.
We’re all works in progress J.D. Amen and praise God for His patience and persistence.