Articles > Recovery: > Taking Pleasure in Our Weakness

Taking Pleasure in Our Weakness

“Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”¹

I once saw a Pastor use an illustration during his preaching, and it really stuck with me. He took a sheet of paper and folded it in half. He pressed tightly at the fold so that the crease was clearly visible. He then laid the paper flat once more and tried to rub the crease out of the paper, but no matter how much he tried, the crease was still there. There was no way of restoring it enough for it to lay flat on its own. However, when he placed it over the Bible, the sheet of paper laid perfectly flat without the crease being visible.

This is true with us as well. Like this folded sheet of paper, we all have weaknesses that “crease” our lives. These creases may have been caused by many different experiences throughout our past and present. Whether we were hurt or abused as children, suffered from broken relationships, endured illness, or one of many other possibilities, we will never be able to be completely restored on our own. However, through the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross, God has given us His grace which is greater than anything we may encounter. When God and His Word are our foundation, He will restore us and be our strength to endure the different troubles in life.

In today’s passage, Paul had asked the Lord three times to take his “thorn in the flesh” away, but the verse above was the response he received. God may not always take away our hurts or troubles, but we can be confident that God is all we need. We, too, can take pleasure in our weaknesses or difficult circumstances because we know that God will be glorified through them and He will use all things for our good. No matter what comes our way, we can be sure that we will stand firm because God’s power will work through us and sustain us.

Suggested prayer: Dear God,  in times when I am weak, allow me to rest in your power and believe that you are all I need. Thank you for your endless grace and love. I know I can stand firm on your Word as my foundation because your Word and promises are true. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

1. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NLT).

Today's Encounter was written by: Crystal B.