“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.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
When you are writing a resume, going in for an interview or even just meeting someone for the first time, you are likely to emphasize your strengths over your weaknesses. Right? You wouldn’t go into a job interview and say, “I think I would be good at this job because I procrastinate things all the time and I am never on time.” That would be ridiculous! We go into interviews confidently and tell those meeting us for the first time all the positive things about us. It is counterintuitive to talk about our weaknesses. In fact, we usually try to hide them.
Today more than ever, we are held to incredibly high standards of near perfection, causing us to brush our weaknesses under the rug and not let anyone know about our failures or shortcomings. We try to put on a façade of strength, and we can’t hold it up forever.
If weaknesses are so bad, then why does Paul say that we should boast about them?
In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul quotes Jesus who said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” God is perfect in every way, giving Him the power to make up for any weaknesses we have. And we have a lot.
Paul says because of this, he will be even more aware and vocal about his weakness in order that God might come in and support him. God’s power perfects our weaknesses, allowing us to do so much more than we could ever do on our own.
Paul goes on in verse 10, saying, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in my weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
When we are weak, insulted, going through hardships, being persecuted or dealing with difficulties, it is an opportunity for God to give us strength. While it might seem frustrating or awful at the moment, we should trust God to show up and strengthen us.
In many instances throughout the Bible, we see God use an individual’s weakness to better help His kingdom. For example, in Exodus 6:30, the Lord commands Moses to go to Egypt and speak to Pharaoh and Moses replies, saying, “Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?” Moses’ weakness is his ability to speak well in front of crowds and yet that is exactly what God is calling him to do.
God is asking Moses to do something he isn’t good at on his own in order to show him His power. Through God’s power alone, Moses and his brother Aaron were able to speak to Pharaoh. This isn’t something Moses could even have done by his own power.
The strength that God will provide in our weaknesses is much greater than any strength that we could muster on our own. So we should not try and hide or avoid our weaknesses, but rather, embrace them, allowing God to strengthen you in ways you could never have imagined.
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FAQs
God's power perfects our weaknesses, allowing us to do so much more than we could ever do on our own. Paul goes on in verse 10, saying, “That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in my weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.
How does God turn our weaknesses into strengths? ›
In whatever area of weakness we find ourselves, whether in ourselves or our circ*mstances, the Holy Spirit “helps us in our weakness” (Romans 8:26). The grace of God is sufficient and made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) and we can receive grace upon grace from Him in our time of need (John 1:16).
What does God say about weakness and strength? ›
8. My strength is perfect in weakness: 2 Corinthians 12:9–10. 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.
How can we find strength in our weakness? ›
Finding Strength through our Weakness
- 3 Ways we grow in strength by embracing our weakness.
- Accepting our weakness shows humility. 'I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. ...
- Acknowledging our weakness enables grace. ...
- Admitting our weakness can bring His power.
When I look into the future and see my weakness, help me to trust you. May I, like Paul, embrace my weakness so that you can be my strength. May you work through my weakness to change me. May I glorify you in my weakness, looking away from myself and to the wonders of your amazing love through Christ.
What are the signs of spiritual weakness? ›
The signs and symptoms of spiritual distress include:
- Feelings of anger or hopelessness.
- Feelings of depression and anxiety.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Feeling abandoned by God.
- Questioning the meaning of life or suffering.
- Questioning beliefs or sudden doubt in spiritual or religious beliefs.
- Asking why this situation occurred.
Your weaknesses give you a ministry.
God doesn't want to use only your strengths in ministry. He also wants to use your weaknesses. God “comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:4 NIV).
What Scripture is in weakness made strong? ›
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.
What does it mean to have God's strength made perfect through my weakness? ›
This means that the weaker we are, the more His power can be displayed within us and through us. Paul was right—we now have every right to boast in our weaknesses!
How do our weaknesses bring glory to God? ›
We rejoice in our weakness, as God meets us right where we are to gift us His strength and power. Our weakness is a gift because it's where His power is made perfect. In His presence, we find His power. His presence and power reside in me and in you.
2 Corinthians 12:9—“My grace is all you need, for my power is the greatest when you are weak.” Psalm 73:26—"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Nehemiah 8:10—"Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
What is weakness in the Bible? ›
Weakness facilitates dependence on God, cultivates the appropriation of grace, and ascribes all glory and credit to God ( 2 Cor 12:7-12 ). For these reasons Paul boasts of his weakness and views it as a sign of true apostleship ( 2 Cor 11:30 ).
How does God show his strength? ›
God showed His strength in redemption. God, our Father, showed His strength in sending His all-powerful and all-authoritative Son to the earth to destroy sin, death, and Satan. Remember, He didn't lack the power to defeat Satan. Nor does He lack the power to bring life to dead souls.
What are three scriptures on strength? ›
The best Bible verses about strength
- Psalm 68:28; 32-35. “Summon your power, God; show us your strength, our God, as you have done before….. ...
- Psalm 59:9, 16 and17. ...
- Deuteronomy 31:6. ...
- Isaiah 40:31. ...
- Jeremiah 16:19-21. ...
- Habakkuk 3:19. ...
- Psalm 18:1-5. ...
- Psalm 73:26.
God, there are things happening around me right now that I do not understand. Some of these thinks make me feel weak, helpless, and afraid. Even in the midst of this, I know that you are the Lord. I know that the situation is in Your hand, and I trust You.
What is the spiritual prayer for strength? ›
Lord, I pray that you would fill me with spiritual strength to withstand the enemy's attacks. Help me to discern truth from lies and to stand firm in my beliefs. May my heart be filled with compassion and love toward others, just as you have showered your love upon me.
What God said about weakness? ›
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.
What are weaknesses according to the Bible? ›
Weakness facilitates dependence on God, cultivates the appropriation of grace, and ascribes all glory and credit to God ( 2 Cor 12:7-12 ). For these reasons Paul boasts of his weakness and views it as a sign of true apostleship ( 2 Cor 11:30 ).
What does the Bible say about human weakness? ›
I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them” (Ether 12:27; see also 1 Corinthians 15:42–44; 2 Corinthians 12:7–10; 2 Nephi 3: ...
What does the Bible say about power through weakness? ›
2 Cor. 12:9,10 – “(God) has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. ' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
