This is a chapter that a lot of us need to read and reread in the months to come. Where we are weak in our lives, that is a great place to begin trusting God. Since we often feel powerless to improve our weakness, letting God bring good out of it is a wonderful miracle. What's been your attitude towards God and your weaknesses? One of frustration? Of indifference? Or anticipation?
Here's some of the quotes I liked, ideas that were helpful to me:
God loves to use weak people.
Everyone has weaknesses. The more important issue is what you do with these. Usually we deny our weakness, defend them, excuse them, hide them and resent them. This prevents God from using them the way he desires. We think that God only wants to use our strengths, but he also wants to use our weakness for his glory.
The Bible is filled with examples of how God loves to use imperfect, ordinary people to do extraordinary things in spite of their weaknesses. If God only used perfect people, nothing would ever get done, because none of us is flawless. That God uses imperfect people is encouraging news for all of us.
When you think of the limitations in your life, you may be tempted to conclude, "God could never use me." But God is never limited by our limitations. In fact, he enjoys putting his great power into ordinary containers. The Bible says, "We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us."
When it comes to letting God further his work in the world through our weaknesses, there are some key actions we need to take, some things we need to let happen:
Admit your weaknesses.
Own up to your own imperfections. Stop pretending to have it all together, and be honest about yourself. Instead of living in denial or making excuses, take the time to identify your personal weaknesses.
Be content with your weaknesses.
Paul said, "I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses."...contentment is an expression of faith in the goodness of God.
Paul gives us several reasons to be content with our inborn weaknesses. First, they cause us to depend on God. Whenever you feel weak, God is reminding you to depend on him. Our weaknesses also prevent arrogance. They keep us humble. God often attaches a major weakness to a major strength to keep our egos in check. A limitation can...keep us from going to fast and running ahead of God.
Our weaknesses also encourages fellowship between believers. While strength breeds an independent spirit, our limitations show how much we need each other. Most of all, our weaknesses increase our capacity for sympathy and ministry. We are far more likely to be compassionate and considerate of the weakness of others.
God wants you to have a Christlike ministry on earth. That means other people are going to find healing in your wounds. Your greatest life messages and your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurts. The things you're most embarrassed about, most ashamed of, and most reluctant to share are the very tools God can use most powerfully to heal others.
Honestly share your weaknesses.
Ministry begins with vulnerability. The more you let down your guard, take off your mask, and share your struggles, the more God will be able to use you in serving others. Vulnerability is emotionally liberating. Opening up relieves stress, defuses your fears, and is the first step to freedom. Vulnerability is an endearing quality; we are naturally drawn to humble people. Pretentiousness repels but authenticity attracts, and vulnerability is the pathway to intimacy.
This is why God wants to use your weaknesses, not just your strengths. If all people see are your strengths, they get discouraged and think, "Well, good for her, but I'l never be able to do that." But when they see God using you in spite of your weaknesses, it encourages them to think, "Maybe God can use me!" Our strengths create competition, but our weaknesses create community.
At some point in your life you must decide whether you want to impress people or influence people. You can impress people from a distance, but you must get close to influence them, and when you do that, they will be able to see your flaws. That's okay. The most essential quality for leadership is not perfection, but credibility.
People must be able to trust you, or they won't follow you. How do you build credibility? Not by pretending to be perfect, but by being honest.
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