When We Are Strong

I begged the Lord three times to take this problem away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you.” So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can live in me… Because when I am weak, then I am truly strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NCV)

In what ways are you weak? What problems do you have? Have you seen Christ in your weakness? If so, in what way? How do you believe God’s power is made perfect in your weakness? Who have you met who is weak, but is somehow strong?

The following story is found at: http://www.wow4u.com/weakness/index.html
This is a story of one 10-year-old boy who decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.
The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training, the master had taught him only one move. "Sensei," the boy finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?"
"This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the Sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.
Several months later, the Sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.
This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the Sensei intervened. "No," the Sensei insisted, "Let him continue."
Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.
On the way home, the boy and Sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind. "Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?" "You won for two reasons," the Sensei answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm."
The boy’s greatest weakness had become his greatest strength!

Often times we are weak when we try to be strong on our own. Those moments where our own strength is not enough, when we cannot keep on going another day, those are the times God steps in and we discover God’s timeless truth, “little ones to him belong, they are weak, but he is strong!” Let us take heart while we are weak, when we cannot figure out how to continue, and when it all seems wrong, for when we rely on the Lord it is only then we are truly strong!

With hope and joy,
Garrett