2022_10_03 Insight Post- Kim Feld

  -   October 3, 2022

This week’s reading- 2 Corinthians 11-12

I struggle at times to own up to weaknesses in my life. I think it has gotten a bit easier as I have aged, but it’s still hard for me to admit. Just thinking of “weakness” reminds me of the classic job interview response when asked, “What is your greatest weakness?” Answer: “My weakness is that I care too much.” Or how about “My weakness is that I work too hard.” This kind of “humble brag” can be common in interview scenarios but have nothing to do with what Paul is talking about in 2 Corinthians 12.

Paul has just shared an incredible spiritual experience that he has had that, in his words, could have resulted in conceit. To keep him from being arrogant about the incident, Paul says God gave him some kind of malady. We don’t know what it was, but we know that Paul prayed earnestly for it to be removed, and God said no. So let’s take a look at God’s response to Paul’s request:

⁸ Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me; ⁹ but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. (2 Corinthians 12:8-9, AMP)

I love these verses in the Amplified Bible. They remind me that God’s grace is sufficient for me, regardless of the situation. There are situations that I encounter every day that are too much for me on my own. Stressful situations where I feel overwhelmed or inadequate to meet the needs or demands that I am faced with. But when I admit my own weakness and inadequacy, that’s when the power of Christ can take over.

What joy it brings to look back over situations and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the only reason you made it through was because of Jesus! I pride myself on being strong and able to handle a lot, but these past few years have taught me that I have limits, whether I choose to accept them or not. My strength can be a detriment if it causes me to rely on myself more than Jesus.

Look at verse 10:

¹⁰ So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength]. (2 Corinthians 12:10, AMP)

Paul has experienced Christ at work amid his weakness. He realizes that his true strength is Christ’s power at work within him. That is our source of true power too. What area of your life is Jesus calling you to rely on Him more than yourself?