What kind of topics of your life do you enjoy talking about? You want to talk about your victories, your strengths and accomplishments, correct? We have a tendency to broadcast our strengths, our victories and cover up our weaknesses, our failures. No one enjoys broadcasting his/her weaknesses. We want to hide them, shun them, and not talk about them.
Now, I am not one to dwell on weaknesses. But, have you ever felt like your weaknesses were overpowering your strengths? We all have at times in our lives. Can I share with you that is okay. At least, as long as we see that as an avenue for improvement and self-awareness. Understanding and acknowledging our weaknesses is a fundamental factor in growing into our full potential. God uses our struggles with weakness to draw us closer to Him and to show us our real strength is found in Him.
It has been said that our weaknesses “force us to look down into the depth of our humanity and discover the deep-seated pockets of selfishness and pride we didn’t know were there.”[i] While growing in Christlikeness this is where we learn that it is okay to admit our weaknesses. I often refer to it as sharing your vulnerabilities. If you are not willing to share your personal vulnerabilities, weaknesses, you are not willing to be a true leader.
Another lesson from the Apostle Paul, who wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 first sharing what he had learned from Christ. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Understanding Christ’s teaching, Paul then said, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me. I delight in weaknesses…For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Realizing, and letting our weaknesses be made known allows God’s glory to shine through greater and brighter than any words or deeds we can share. Culture has told us all of our lives to hide your weaknesses. Do not put them on display. Shun them, cover them up. Jesus says, in your weaknesses my (Christ’s) strength will shine through. It is through my weakness that Christ’s strength is made known more clearly to all around.
Reading throughout the Holy Scriptures you will find God intentionally seeking out the weak to demonstrate and affirm His power and strength. God takes our inadequacies and builds upon them His majestic works. Out of my weaknesses He is making something beautiful.
Focus on building on your strengths. But do not run from your weaknesses. God gave you those so he could shine through you. Allow God to be the weakness transformer in your life.
George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.
[i] Go the Distance, John Trent, Focus on the Family Publishing, © 1996