:: this post is a part of the 3.31 IMPACT series ::
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Focus
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say.
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Decision
I’m not good enough. I can’t do it. I’m not strong enough. I can’t take anymore.
Have you ever said any of these statements to yourself? When we don’t succeed at something, we tend to look at ourselves and start pointing out all the weaknesses within ourselves. Have you ever done this?
It seems to be so much easier to focus on our weaknesses than our strengths, doesn’t it?
We all experience moments of weakness. These moments can come in the form of failing at a task, speaking a harsh word when we don’t mean to, giving into gossip, and various others. Sometimes these moments of weakness can be overwhelming to us.
[Tweet “God uses our moments of weakness as opportunities.”]
He takes these moments and gives us the opportunity to improve, to change, to strengthen in Him. He also does another amazing thing: While we’re busy focusing on our weaknesses and our flaws, He is seeing our strengths, our perfections.
We can read many stories in our Bibles of people who have failed, given into temptations, and those that wanted to give up but didn’t. God gives us these stories as reminders that because He created us and made us out of His image, He knows our ultimate strength.
While it’s hard not focus on our weaknesses or on a certain trial we may be facing, we must remember that God uses these moments to draw us closer to Him, to show us how much we need Him, and to show us His undying love for us, his children.
If you tend to be someone who focuses on your flaws instead of your strengths, ask God to reveal to you the person He sees in you.
Surrender
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of strength. Thank you for the ability to grow from my weaknesses. You see me for who I really am and can be in the future. Help me to continue to grow in You and your Word. I know that You will never give me anything that I cannot handle. Please help me to focus on the positive qualities that I see in myself as well as the things I need to change. Your love is such an amazing gift. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection
How have you turned a weakness into a strength? How did God use this weakness in your life to draw you closer to Him?
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