Weak Places: I Can Be Strong in Christ
by Lysa TerKeurst, from Made to Crave Devotional
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. — Psalm 18:2a
Thought for the Day:
Even the smallest drop of God’s strength is more than enough to cover our frailties, our shortcomings, the places where we deem ourselves weak.
We all have them. Weak places. Places inside us that make us wonder if we’ll ever get it together like the together people. Places that make us feel less than. Less than victorious. Less than a conqueror. Less than strong.
My weak places frustrate me. I just resolved to do better three weeks ago and already I’m slipping in a couple of places. And yet I refuse to resign myself to the thought that I can’t ever change.
With the power of Christ, all things can be made new.
All broken things are subject to restoration.
But sometimes I get so tired of trying and I just feel weak. Can you relate?
What is your weak place? A food issue that rages even though you just signed up for that new diet program? A money situation that seems impossible? A temper that flares? An insecurity that stings?
Let me breathe a little life into your weakness today. Whatever it is, however large it may loom...
You don’t have to have all the answers. You don’t have to make suggestions to God. It’s okay to be so tired of your weak places that you run out of words to pray.
And listen to the beautiful verses written to us Jesus girls about weak places:
There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. — Romans 8:1
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit. — Romans 8:9a
If God is for us, who can be against us?
— Romans 8:31b
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. — Romans 8:37
Maybe we need to sit still for just a moment or two today. Quiet, without the weight of condemnation or the swirl of trying to figure things out. Quiet, with nothing but the absolute assurance the Spirit helps us in our weakness.
The Spirit knows what to pray. He understands our weak places. There is a purpose to this weak place. Though it doesn’t feel good now, things will be worked out in a way that good will come from it (Romans 8:28).
In that quiet stillness, while the Spirit prays for us and we simply soak in truth, there will be a flicker of light. A slight trickle of hope. A grace so unimaginable, we’ll feel His power overshadowing our weakness. Even the smallest drop of God’s strength is more than enough to cover our frailties, our shortcomings, the places where we deem ourselves weak.
And we’ll reject that word. We aren’t weak. We are dependent. Dependent on the only one powerful enough to help us. The only one sufficient enough to cover us in grace throughout the process.
Our relationships may not be sufficient. Our circumstances may not be sufficient. Our finances may not be sufficient. Our willpower may not be sufficient. Our confidence may not be sufficient. But God is and has been and forever will be. He says,
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. — 2 Corinthians 12:9a
Instead of wallowing in my weak place, I will let the Spirit reveal the one positive step I can take today. I will wash away the condemnation with the warmth of His grace. I will receive His power. And I will rename the weakness my strong place.
For when I am weak, then I am strong. — 2 Corinthians 12:10b
Prayer for Today
Dear Lord, I am weak without You. Please help me to have enough faith to get through the next challenging situation I will face today. And then enough faith for the next. Thank You for Your love, grace, mercy, and the sacrifice You made on the cross for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Do you feel the weight of condemnation over your weak places? Take a solid look at that weakness. And then take a look at God! Our weaknesses. His strength. He is sufficient! Come share your thoughts with us on our blog. We want to hear from you about quitting trying to figure it out today and just soaking in God’s awesome strength to overcome all of our frailties.
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