How do you deal with your weaknesses? The biblical character, Jacob, struggled with wanting to trust in his own cleverness instead of depending on God. But God, in His great mercy and grace, weaned Jacob away from dependence on himself. Toward the end of Jacob’s life, God wrestled with him and permanently lamed him. It was a perpetual reminder of his spiritual weakness. Just as he needed to lean on a stick for the rest of his life, Jacob needed to lean on the Lord.
Wow! What a different perspective of weakness. I don’t like my weaknesses. In fact, I am constantly striving to get rid of them so that I can live my life in my own strength. My weaknesses are a hindrance to what I want my life to look like. But God designed my weaknesses to help me lean on Him. Instead of fighting against my weaknesses, what if I am content with them because I know that the Lord’s strength is greater than my own? What freedom I would find, and what glory God would receive! God is worthy of my trust.
“I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10