It’s Okay to be Weak

Paul is one of my favorite people in the Bible, in large part because he was such a tower of strength and faithfulness. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 he discusses the many persecutions and hardships he endured:

 . . . beaten times without number, often in danger of death.  Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift at sea. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

Despite all of that, he labored to bring the gospel to people throughout large portions of the eastern Roman Empire, and probably some of the western Empire as well.

Yet in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Paul says “I will rather boast about my weaknesses,” and “I delight in weaknesses.”

That’s not how most Americans think, is it? We want to appear tough, strong, and self-sufficient. Many of us—especially men—have trouble showing weakness or vulnerability.

Yet Christians should embrace weakness, just as Paul does, because “when I am weak, then I am strong.”[1] We have the power of Christ to give us strength, because God’s “power is perfected in weakness.”[2]

God often chooses the weak and the meek for his greatest achievements. A young man named Gideon who was threshing wheat in a wine press for fear of the Midianites led Israel to an overwhelming victory against staggering odds.[3] A young shepherd boy named David defeated a giant and became the greatest king Israel ever had.[4] A tax collector, a zealot, and a handful of fishermen turned the world upside down a month and a half after their leader was executed on a cross as a criminal.

God loves to use the weak and lowly because then it’s obvious who should get the credit when they do great things.

So don’t be afraid to be weak, and lean on Christ for your strength.

[1]. 2 Corinthians 12:10

[2]. 2 Corinthians 12:9

[3]. Judges chapters 6 and 7

[4]. 1 Samuel chapters 16 and 17, 2 Samuel chapters 2 and 5