The Truth About Our Weaknesses

“Three times I pleaded with the LORD to take it away from me. 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me”
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (NIV)

One of the lies that convinces me to believe the fake news that my past disqualifies me from God’s purpose for my life is this:

My weaknesses keep God from using me.

This is one of the most common lies that prevents most of us from stepping out in faith, trusting God to accomplish His purpose in us and through us.  Moses felt this way when God called him to a great purpose.  He was to lead Israel out of Egypt to the Promised Land.  Yet he was self-conscious and insecure about a weakness in his life that He thought would prevent God from using him.  So, he responds to God’s call like this: “O LORD, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though You have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled” (Exodus 4:10, NLT).

Maybe you feel that way as well.  How could God use me to accomplish His purpose when my weaknesses would so obviously disqualify me?  He picked the wrong person.  I can’t do it.  Why would God call me?  Because you are the perfect candidate!  God wants to use those very weaknesses you think are barriers to build bridges for His blessing in your life.  Those weaknesses will prevent you from trusting in your own ability and relying on your own strength.  They will keep you humble and dependent on Him.

The great Apostle Paul realized this when he contended with God in prayer about his weakness.  He said, “Three times I pleaded with the LORD to take it away from me. 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9, NIV 2011).

Let’s debunk this lie once and for all with the truth:

My weaknesses are what God uses most!

I hope that encourages you as much as it does me!  Let God turn those weaknesses in your life you thought were barriers into bridges that bring you into His divine destiny so that His power may rest on you! 

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To read this devotional online or catch up on past ones, visit https://kerryshook.org/blog.

Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.

Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.