What is weakness?
Dictionary.com defines weakness as…
“Lack of strength, firmness, vigor or the like; feebleness.”
“An inadequate or defective quality, as in a person’s character; slight fault or defect.”
While I understand these official definitions, I better connect with the following one:
“Any limitation you can’t change by yourself.” (Pastor Steve Miller)
I like the third definition of weakness because it gives hope. For me, the official definitions give too much of a discarded sense to the idea of weakness. Sure, weaknesses limit, but they also afford the possibility for improvement.
Improving Through Weaknesses
The best way to improve through weaknesses is by admitting they exist. Considering my own weaknesses, while not pleasant to acknowledge within and then admit outwardly, takes me down a path of self-evaluation. This path, one we all must take if we expect to grow, also requires that we recognize how automatic our weaknesses seem to operate in our lives until we directly address them.
Walking With a Limp
Jacob walked with a limp, and it served as a reminder of His encounter with God (Genesis 32:22-32). Paul had a “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7) that served to keep him humble.
Both Jacob and Paul moved forward in spite of their weaknesses. They did so by depending on God for strength, which Paul helps us better understand with these words…
“Each time He said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So, now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
As with Jacob and Paul, our weaknesses can remind us of our dependence on God and can counteract the dangerous state of independence. In fact, the power of God will increasingly dominate your life the more you acknowledge your weaknesses and let Him be glorified as you limp through life.
Weaknesses Provide Opportunity
Our weaknesses can motivate us to keep in daily contact with God as we learn to rely on Him to overcome our limitations. Ministry opportunities also increase when we become aware of our weaknesses and allow God to use them. Weaknesses connect us with others who have similar weaknesses, and together we get to learn to let God use our weaknesses for His glory.
Weaknesses Promote Fellowship
As we become more aware of our weaknesses, we also become more aware of those who can partner with us. God works through others in amazing ways, including through balancing each other through strengths and weaknesses.
Being strong enough to admit you are weak means admitting the existence of your weaknesses. It means understanding that these weaknesses will not go away, that we really don’t want them to, and that only the power of God can turn them into great triumphs.
Barb
Great post, Kari. So exciting to see what God's doing in your life. I've written and taught on this subject for five years now with both groups of women and teenagers. I think it's so valuable to open up about our weaknesses and help each other with them. I learn so much from just hearing others share about how God is working in their lives. Plus it's interesting to see how others think – we all have different weaknesses, but we each struggle with something – make that a bunch of somethings. I've found over and over again that when people make a committed effort to go to God to get His perspective on life – as often as it takes and it sometimes takes forever it seems – He works in them and transforms them. I am so grateful for His work in my own life.
Kari Scare
Thanks Barb. This was a really tough one to right for several reasons, some obvious and some not. Transformation is certainly what I am looking for in this struggle. I would love to hear more about what you've written and taught on with regard to this subject. Please feel free to share anytime.
Loren Pinilis
So much in our Christian life comes from the fountain of humility. Our weaknesses help to keep that fountain flowing.
Kari Scare
Humility certainly is crucial, and our weaknesses hopefully lead us to it over and over again. Great insight!
fallon
Awesome post, just what I needed. I've been frustrated with myself, thinking I was doing something wrong after asking God many times to take my shyness so I could be more open to serve Him. I have a pen pal in prison on death row and he's the one who told me that maybe it's not His will to take it and that maybe it's the thorn in my flesh like Paul. I never ever thought of it that way. Then I came across your article. Thanks for helping open my eyes to see my affliction a little differently.
Kari Scare
For me, learning the difference between shyness and introversion helped too. Not sure if that's you're case, but something to think about. God's power really does shine through our weaknesses. I am still learning to give my shyness to Him for His glory. Instead of it being an excuse, I'm letting Him turn it into opportunity. Hard to see shyness as being okay in today's culture sometimes. I'm so glad this post helped you!