Even people who consider themselves courageous and strong have times when they feel overburdened, afraid, and weak. When life feels dreadful, and it feels too hard to keep stepping forward through the daily challenges, our heart and soul may sense the need to give up and quit. At this point it would be easy to fall into self-pity, or self-loathing for not being stronger, BUT that would only lead us in the wrong direction…. to emotional and spiritual defeat. We must remember at times like these that our only remedy is to turn to Jesus, even if we are not feeling it (faith not feeling), because He is the one who has the power to rescue us, and is on our side and loves and accepts us, even at our weakest state. In fact, being weak has persuasive spiritual power, because in this state we know we can’t do or fix anything by ourselves, without help. We plainly understand we desperately need Him, and desperation pushes us towards His mercy, as we realize that He is our hope and help- the One we need to continue on, to find overcoming triumph in our daily lives. He promises that in our weakness His grace, favor, mercy, and loving-kindness will be enough, and that He will help us to bear our troubles with courage. He promises that in our weakest state He will stay close in our hearts, that His strength and power will be developed and grow within our spirits. Remember, He cannot do this wonderful work in us if we believe we are strong in our own power. That is why Paul said, “I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities that the strength and power of Christ may rest and dwell upon me!” We learn to lose faith in ourselves and to place all of our trust in God. God is doing an evolving work in our lives, and we must trust the process. So, when we feel weak and overwhelmed, let’s remind ourselves that His Holy Spirit living within us will support us, and carry what we cannot bear. His favor toward us is sufficient, and His power and strength within us is a growing work of mercy in progress. We don’t have to be crushed in our weakness, because the strength and power of Christ is resting and dwelling upon us- seeing us through to a better place!
“But He said to me, My grace [My favor and loving-kindness and mercy] is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully] for My strength and power are made perfect [fulfilled and completed] and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ [the Messiah] may rest, yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell upon me!”(2Corinthians 12:9).
