LEARNING DAILY

2 Corinthians 12:9-10, But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Pastor Jonathon Moore, Lead Pastor at NorthRock Church asked two questions regarding these verses. One, “What does God want to do in me?” Second, “What does God want to do through me?” He used the movie Ordinary Angels” to show that sometimes God uses us to help others who need help in their circumstances. In doing so, He uses those times to begin the healing process in our own lives. Audrey wrote in her notes on this movie, “We are not meant to fight alone. God sees us and asks us to let Him into our weaknesses.”

In writing these words, Paul wanted his readers to know he had made peace with his weaknesses; in fact, his weaknesses were the very things he needed to allow God to accomplish what He desired to accomplish in his life. Yes, Paul had accomplishments that he could boast in. But in Philippians he wrote that he considered all his accomplishments as loss for the sake of Christ. His accomplishments were worthless in comparison to knowing Christ.

Pastor Moore and the movie brought out that our weaknesses, “our pain is a doorway to God’s power” (Audrey’s notes). Pastor said, “Your weakness reveals God’s strength.” God wants each Believer to serve Him; “serving is not about having it all together, it’s about being available” (Audrey’s notes).  You might be led to help another individual going through a difficult situation as you are going through your own difficulty. God’s grace will help you give His grace to another person in need, if you are obedient.

Let me ask this. Have you ever faced a situation where you felt weakness and vulnerability? What if you were led to help another person facing their trial, their difficulty? Paul’s writing is showing Believers, they do not need to depend on their own strength or ability to overcome their challenges. By helping another in their difficulties, God may be using the help you give to others to begin a healing situation in your own life. It is okay to feel weak at times because that is when God’s power can work most effectively in your life. Instead of trying to do in your own strength, calling on God, and trusting in His grace lifts you and guides you forward – in helping another and finding He is working on your situation at the same time.

God’s grace is your strength when you feel weak. In Philippians 4:11, Paul stated he had learned to be content in every situation. He had learned contentment because he knew God’s grace and strength came when he was weakest. Lean on God’s grace and allow His strength to transform your weaknesses into strengths!