When I am weak, then I am strong!
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
1It is necessary to brag, not that it does any good. I’ll move on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago. I don’t know whether it was in the body or out of the body. God knows. 3-4I know that this man was caught up into paradise and that he heard unspeakable words that were things no one is allowed to repeat. I don’t know whether it was in the body or apart from the body. God knows. 5I’ll brag about this man, but I won’t brag about myself, except to brag about my weaknesses.
6If I did want to brag, I wouldn’t make a fool of myself because I’d tell the truth. I’m holding back from bragging so that no one will give me any more credit than what anyone sees or hears about me. 7I was given a thorn in my body because of the outstanding revelations I’ve received so that I wouldn’t be conceited. It’s a messenger from Satan sent to torment me so that I wouldn’t be conceited.
8I pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me alone. 9He said to me, “My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness.” So I’ll gladly spend my time bragging about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power can rest on me. 10Therefore, I’m all right with weaknesses, insults, disasters, harassments, and stressful situations for the sake of Christ, because when I’m weak, then I’m strong.
Have you ever thanked God for your weaknesses?
That may sound unusual. Our world values strength and independence. But the Bible teaches us something different: God’s power is made perfect in our weakness.
The Apostle Paul was a strong leader. He founded many churches and wrote a significant portion of the New Testament. Yet Paul also had a weakness. He called it a “thorn in the flesh.” He asked God three times to take it away. But God answered: “My grace is sufficient for you. My power is made perfect in weakness.”
Paul learned that when he was weak, God’s power was strong in him.
I have also learned this truth.
When I was young, my mother told me that she had promised God I would serve as a pastor. Later in life, I faced many struggles—being a woman in ministry, speaking another language, and even fighting serious illness.
Recently, I was commissioned as a pastor. Soon after, I found out I had tongue cancer. The night before my surgery, I cried out to God: “Lord, is this the end of my calling?”
But the next morning, I woke up with a hymn in my heart:
"Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee, how great thou art!"
Today, I preach with a voice marked by surgery, but filled with God’s grace. My weakness became the place where God showed His strength.
How about you? My dear friends, I know you also understand weakness:
- Bodies that don’t move like before
- Memories that fade
- The loss of independence
- Hands that shake, feet that stumble
- Voices are not as strong as they used to be
But remember this: these are not reasons to stop serving God.
There are ways for God to show His power in you.
- In your wheelchair, God is your strength.
- In your forgetfulness, God is your peace.
- In your loneliness, God is your companion.
- In your fear, God is your courage.
- In your pain, God is your comfort.
When you smile at me, you shine God’s light.
When you smile at a neighbor, you shine God’s light.
When you encourage someone, you share God’s love.
When you pray for others, even when you hurt, you show God’s power.
Paul discovered that weakness is not the end. Weakness is the beginning of God’s power.
Your struggles have not removed you from God’s plan. They have prepared you to show His grace, especially.
So today, I invite you:
Do not hide your weakness. Offer it to God. It is the very place where He will meet you.
When others see you trust God, they see a miracle.
When they see your peace in pain, they see God’s Spirit.
When they see your joy in hardship, they see the power of the Gospel.
My friends, when you are weak, then you are strong. God’s grace is enough for you—today, tomorrow, and always.
"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." – 2 Corinthians 12:9
A Prayer for Today
"Loving God, thank You for the gift of weakness. In our weakness, let us feel Your strength. In our struggles, let us know Your grace. When we share our weakness, may Your power be revealed among us. For when we are weak, then we are strong. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen."