And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. ~ II Corinthians 12:9-10
Why is it that when we are weak, then we are strong? Why is it that His strength is made perfect in weakness?
When we are truly weak, what characterizes our lives?
We have no energy.
What can we do with no energy?
Can we fret? Worry takes a tremendous amount of mental and emotional energy. When we are truly weak, we have no energy to fret.
Can we mock other people? Mocking others usually require physical energy, mental energy, and emotional energy.
Can we complain? Complaining also takes energy. Can we deride or criticize each other? If we are truly weak, what do we have that they lack? Can we boast of ourselves in pride? Weakness has nothing in itself of which to boast. Can we strive with others? Strife takes effort and energy.
The fact is that when we are truly weak, we can do none of these things. A weak person has no energy to accomplish any of these things. In weakness, every ounce of the being is simply concentrating on surviving – on living – on breathing and abiding in the next moment. There is no other thought or energy to waste on anything else.
All that weakness can do is rest!
No wonder Paul says that he takes pleasure in infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions, and distresses for Christ’s sake. No wonder he says that when he is weak, then he is strong! Strength comes through rest – “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence (trust) shall be your strength” (Isaiah 30:15). The more we rest – in our own weakness and lack of anything in ourselves – the more His strength is made perfect in our weakness through rest!
With this perspective, we can see how weakness is not a burden but a blessing. When we are in weakness, we are at the height of His kingdom. The place of weakness – if we rest in Him through it – is the place of freedom from worry, mocking, complaining, criticism, pride, and strife. It is the place where our minds and hearts can be fixed fully on Him alone – for we have no strength to turn them in any other direction. No wonder God says that He has chosen the weak things of the world to confound them that are mighty – that no flesh should glory in his presence, but that he that glories would glory in the Lord.
Are you resting in the weakness He has blessed you with?
