Perfect Strength In Weakness

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)

However, Apostle Paul in our theme verse, says something most remarkable. Paul being afflicted resorted to God for a solution but the response of our Father is most “troubling” and amazing at the same time; “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Now, you see why I say the world cannot discern us nor yet understand us? To the world, what God says makes no sense, it is folly, because to them their strength relies on themselves.

Don’t conform to the world by trying to hype yourself and make yourself look strong and relevant, so the world can accept and recognize you, it’s a futile and exhausting endeavor, let God be your strength. Isn’t it amazing that God the creator of heaven and earth, the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end can be your strength? When He is your strength, who can bring you down? Nobody. Who can break you? Nobody. Who can stop your shine? Nobody.

Let me let you in on a simple but yet very profound secret. When God wants to use anyone for a relevant assignment, He first “breaks” you. This has many and diverse reasons, one of which is to rid you of our “self-strength” mentality. He brings you to the place where your strength fails and only His strength can avail. That place where family and friends see no hope and future; that place where everyone has left you for “dead” when all hope is lost, then He steps in, and through you, He makes the difference. When the world marvels about your exploits, deep down you know it’s not you but Him.

Apostle Paul caught the gist and resolved to glorify in his weakness, so that the power of our Father may rest on him. This is Kingdom wisdom—knowledge and wisdom from the Mouth of God! When friends, family, and colleagues belittle you or try to make you look small or incapable, what do you do? The normal human response is to retaliate and defend yourself trying to prove your strength. This might be the way forward in some scenarios, but this should be the exception. Quit trying to defend yourself and just keep doing what you do.

In discussing this Jesus Christ recommends “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.” Matthew 5:38-41 (NKJV).

Quit boosting yourself, your skills and competencies in a bit to approve yourself and making yourself strong. Our Father’s perfect strength cannot be unleashed from such because whatever good thing you do, everyone will know it’s owing to your skills, competencies, training or even your schooling.

When people don’t have a rational explanation for the “great” things you do, and the only person they can think of is God to endow you which such wisdom, knowledge and skill then, you’re in the right place. Stop hyping! It’s limited and limiting, Christ Jesus didn’t hype Himself but was hyped by the Father and given the name above every name in Heaven and earth. Follow the Way!