“There is wisdom in seeing and confessing your weakness” this is a statement I read from a Christian blog site I came across recently. As I thought about this phrase, the words of Paul in 2nd Corinthians 12:8-10 dropped in my heart.

Concerning this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. ⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2nd Corinthians 12:8-10

In an ever-increasing competitive world, weakness is not something that we are prone to share with others or even acknowledge ourselves. We always want to ensure to cover up our imperfections and present our best possible selves. We post our nicest pictures, post our best videos, showcase our achievements and the list goes on. It seems like putting our best selves out there gets us the applauses, the likes, the promotions etc. This culture that only acknowledges our best outputs discourages us from being honest about ourselves. Many are struggling and going through challenges they cannot share or acknowledge because of this perfection-seeking culture.

The wisdom I derive from Paul’s confession in 2nd Corinthians 12:8-10 is the power of the wisdom that is experienced in confessing and acknowledging our weakness before God. Paul knew exactly what was happening to him, he felt weak and needed God’s help. Like most of us when we are experiencing weakness in our lives, we ask God to take away whatever is causing the weakness. We do not want weakness to be associated with our lives, we want to be strong and be in our best selves at all times.  We are human and for that reason, we cannot exist without the presence of some amount of weakness in our lives. Each and every person have a certain weakness in his or her life, we manifest wisdom when we acknowledge this weakness before God and allow the grace of God to sustain us even as we bear the weakness in our lives.

God responds to our weakness; He made us and knows how to sustain in whatever state or situation we find ourselves in. God responded to Paul’s prayer and said to him “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” If Paul had not acknowledged his weakness, this truth will not have been revealed to him. This truth allowed Paul to see and acknowledge the power and presence of God in His life, Paul was able to see his limitation and acknowledge how God exceeded his limitation. All glory and honor were given to God when Paul attained heights, he knew was above him.

Beloved in Christ, I encourage you today to bring your imperfections, weaknesses, infirmities, reproaches, needs, persecutions, distresses, whatever that wears you down before God. Lay it all at God’s feet, pour it all before Him, God’s strength will enable you to withstand in all things. Not all weaknesses will be taken away, we may not be delivered from all persecutions nor be healed from all diseases, but one thing remains always true, God will provide the grace to make you strong to prevail in every situation.

May the Holy Spirit continue to guide us in our walk with Jesus Christ. It is my prayer that God’s grace will come upon anyone experiencing any form of weakness  that they may gain strength to overcome whatever challenge they are facing  and bring glory and honor to God. God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. Dear one, always remember Jesus Christ dearly loves you because He died for you.