Image by Günther Schneider from Pixabay
Does your life feel like a balancing act sometimes? Mine too. The kicker is that I’m not naturally skilled whatsoever at achieving perfect harmony. 🥳🥳🥳 Wait for it…. This is a good thing.
In truth, I feel as if I’m a hopeless wreck who never does what she wants to do and does the things she doesn’t want to do. Too much scrolling through social media for starters.
This is both frustrating and disappointing.
**Deep sigh**
However, my faults are truly a good thing (in a round about sort of way). So let me boast! 📣 At least I’m in good company.
Paul, who was a teacher for God, felt the same way, as it is written in Romans 7:15-20. We can also see through scripture that Paul understood the gift of weakness. Have you ever considered weakness a gift? Up until recent ruminations, I truly didn’t see it as such. But I believe that Paul understood completely what a gift it is to be humbled and dependent on God.
As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:19 – 11…. “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Paul’s Afflictions
Paul was suffering (or struggling) with what he called “a thorn in the flesh.” By this description we can assume it was something he felt was uncomfortable or painful. There are many guesses as to what this thorn could have been, however, nobody really knows for certain. Nevertheless, the thorn itself wasn’t necessary to the message. So don’t feel so bad if you can’t share your personal struggles publicly in detail. Share what you can share.
What Paul did reveal is that his “thorn” was given to him to keep him from being conceited. Any time we experience weakness, we can rightly hypothesise that God can (or is) using it in some way. For our benefit perhaps? Or maybe as a way to show His power to others. Even both.
Paul’s Strength
While Paul was afflicted, he was not alone. He had a system in place working for him. When he begged God to take away the thorn, the Lord reminded Paul that he already had what he needed: the Lord’s grace. The Lord’s grace equals strength because God is all powerful, merciful, all knowing, seeing… and the list goes on.
Whatever our affliction, God IS the answer. He’s the one complete system (a triune God) who can give us the strength to overcome any weakness of the flesh.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (New International Version)
God’s Equiping Grace
Paul was gifted as an apostle (or teacher) of Christ. Therefore, boasting about his own weakness became something he gladly proclaimed, as it magnified🔎 God and the power of God’s grace: our spiritual strength. 💪💪
Paul’s weakness and God’s grace made Paul a strong and effective teacher, a humble human being, more patient, wise, long suffering, and willing to obey. Who wouldn’t be willing to boast and obey if they truly understood the magnitude of this power that rests on God’s children.
Paul knew that this spiritual strength was only possible through the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is given to those who believe in Jesus Christ. How much more do you suppose this understanding nudged Paul to gladly boast and proclaim the truth of Jesus– teaching and disciplining others.
Trust and Believe
So, yes, while weaknesses may make us feel rather inadequate. We’re nevertheless reassured that God will build us up, providing everything we need to succeed. He can, and is willing to do the same for all who come to Him. Read: Matthew 11:28-30
Now may the God of peace [the source of serenity and spiritual well-being] who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood that sealed and ratified the eternal covenant, equip you with every good thing to carry out His will and strengthen you [making you complete and perfect as you ought to be], accomplishing in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21 (Amplified Version)
God Bless, and thank you for reading.
–Tina
Pippi's Poetry 
We tend to beat ourselves up about our weaknesses. But I love this reminder that they are a good thing when we rely on Jesus, His grace, and His strength… I also really appreciated this point – “Nevertheless, the thorn itself wasn’t necessary to the message. So don’t feel so bad if you can’t share your personal struggles publicly in detail. Share what you can share.” I read a ton of Christian non-fiction books. And there is this mindset in some circles that they have to share all the dirt because it will make their books sell. As a result, I feel some authors overshare, and it doesn’t help encourage or bring insight. There have been many books that were too heavy for me because the author just kept dumping that stuff on the pages. Anyway, sorry for the ramble. It is something that has bothered me. But what you said really rang true to me and I so appreciated it… Thank you for this post. I love that you are always honest, and also bring encouragement and inspiration. There are many, like myself, who also struggle with similar things. And the way you share does help the rest of us to reflect and make better choices. ♥️
LikeLike
Thank you for the kind and encouraging comments, Bridget. 🧡
That’s such a good point that oversharing to sell books is a misuse of a gift. You may not have said it in so many words, but recently at church we were going over the spiritual gifts and how a gift can be misused. We can use the gifts that God gives us for the wrong purpose. Or as Scripture puts it, without love. It becomes something others can’t stand, like a noisy gong or clanging symbol.
No need to apologize. Thank you for sharing. You have a really good point. Scripture talks about meditating on whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
I really struggle mentally when conversation is too negative or dark. I need light and uplifting meditations. So I can completely understand not wanting to read all of the dirt. While it’s good to talk about some things, there’s probably something to be said for discretion and brevity in light of the things we should be meditating on and what is helpful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah yes, that is a good point about misusing our spiritual gifts. And I can see how that might happen in other ways as well, depending on the gift and situation. I love how you pointed out the verses in Philippians that tell us what to focus on. That is something that we all, myself included, need to keep in mind every day. It can be all too easy to stray from that. And I agree with you about needing light and encouragement, as opposed to negative and dark topics. I don’t even like watching the news because it’s too depressing. Thank you, Tina, for reminding me that I need to be careful in this area too (of what I allow in and what I allow myself to meditate on)… I’m continuing to pray for you and your hubby while you face this move. I pray God helps you find the right place, that He opens all the right doors, and closes all the wrong doors. And I’m praying for you as you try to keep your focus in the right place. I know exactly what you’re going through. I struggle in that area too. And I have found that even when I remove things from my plate, something else unhelpful can slide into that space. So we have to be intentional with our time and energy. But it’s worth it. Thank you for your insight on that several weeks ago. I have been thinking about that a lot myself and need to make some adjustments. Blessings, my wannabe neighbor 😉🙏🏻
LikeLike
Thank you so much for your prayers, Bridget. Andrew and I our now moved! We found a really great basement suite within driving distance to Andrew’s parents and within close proximity to my favorite walking trails. Things we really both wanted and needed.
Then after our landlord said he would love to rent the suite to us, we found out that he was a believer as well. So that was a really wonderful surprise and blessing. The only downside to this new suite (for me) is that it’s a bit boxy. It’s lacking views from windows and there isn’t a lot of natural light, being mostly below ground. 🫤 I also don’t have any outdoor space of my own here. The suite itself is really nice and very functional for our needs, but that one element can be a bit tough on my mental health. It just means I will really need those trails more and to find good and purposeful distractions while indoors. Hopefully writing and studying more! But I also have an early education job to juggle. I’m not very good at juggling. 🫤
Please pray that I can get the balance right in my life, for my mental and spiritual health. I’m feeling really beat and worn after the stress and push of this move but still have some challenges to overcome. Rest is much needed. Thankfully I will have a week off from work around Christmas. Please pray that this week will help me to rest, reset, find a good path forward and some better sleep! 😴
Blessings and prayers back at you! 🙏 Yes, you remembered! Definitely a wannabe neighbor! It would be so nice to walk and talk with you, Bridget. 🧡 One day on streets of gold. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Humility and Humbleness are such a common word in the Bible for a reason. Beautifully written ❤️
LikeLike
Thank you. 🧡
LikeLike
I rely on God’s grace and strength to make it through difficult days. God is the answer; all we have to do is reach out to Him in prayer and take time to be still and listen.
Peace and Blessings! 🌺💕🦋🍂🌺
LikeLike
Amen, Jeanne. What would we do without the Lord’s grace and strength? Peace and blessings back at you. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🎄❄️☃️
LikeLiked by 1 person