I have a chink in my armor

We all have them, those annoying little weaknesses.  Those places where the arrows of the enemy can pierce through even the toughest veneer we can muster up.  While on this earth, weaknesses are just a part of our lives, but we don’t have to suffer shame and failure to them over and over again. 

 ^“Concerning this (weakness), I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. ⁹ And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. ¹⁰ Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”  (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)

I, too, have asked God to remove certain struggles, certain ‘weaknesses’ from my life.  Up to this point He has chosen not to do so.  But in having those weaknesses, I have had to grow strong in those particular areas, in order to stand firm in my faith.  Like a Blind person, whose hearing is extraordinary; or like a deaf person who can read lips;  even so, God enables us to develop strengths to help us in our weaknesses.  I have found that one of the most valuable things I have, are the weaknesses God has given to me, because I am able to help others who struggle with the same things as I do.  I can get right down there with them, in the nitty gritty, and share how God has enabled me to learn to walk on top of those weaknesses.  In this way, I guess I boast in my weaknesses.  Review again the verse above.  It says that  I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.    

If I have to endure a bit of weakness so that the Power of Christ may dwell in me, than I say, “Bring it on, God.”  I want to experience Jesus Christ life in me, in every way possible.  How can I know His strength without my weakness?  How could I know His joy without my tears?  How could I know His love without my loneliness?  How could I know His healing without my wounds? 

All praise be to our Ever-Wise God, who leads us always forth in triumph, and produces in us victories over weakness and strength to endure.  We love You, dearest God, and we trust You to work in and through us.  Thank You for both our strengths and our weaknesses.  May You be glorified as You reach others through is in both of these ways.