Do you have a weakness you would like to rid yourself of? Is there a fault you are wrestling with and wish it would go away? Are you fighting a “thorn in the flesh” that you just can’t shake? Have you asked God to take it away? Does it remain? Have you thought God desires you to keep it?
Weaknesses and faults are a challenge to deal with. Most of us do not like having weaknesses. We don’t like having faults, and especially having them revealed to others. We prefer to present an image of being strong, self-reliant, able to take care of ourselves.
The Apostle Paul had a “thorn in the flesh.” He asked God to remove it from him three times. God refused. Paul was being tormented by it. Yet, God said, “my grace is sufficient.” What do we do when that’s God’s answer to us? Perhaps we follow the lead of Paul. He boasted in his weakness so the power of Christ would dwell in him. How amazing is that?!
Paul shows us that we can use our weakness or fault to glorify Christ. That may sound odd but think about it. Suppose your fault is a physical disability. Yet, you can use it to glorify Christ by continuing to spread His gospel message despite it. You can show others that God gives you the strength to carry on despite the disability you battle.
I pray we all take stock of our weaknesses and faults. I pray we seek God’s strength within our weaknesses. I pray each one of us will glorify Christ in our weaknesses and continue to spread the gospel. God may not remove your weakness. He may not eliminate your faults. Use them to glorify Christ. Spread the gospel message anyway.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”
Marty Pressey 