Sunday, June 7, 2009

Stepping Stones: Embrace Your Weakness

Transformational Tip
God's Word tells us that when we are at our weakest, He is at His strongest. We pray for and expect strength in times of weakness...we pray for and expect God's healing power. I recently went through a time of extreme weakness, brokenness. It doesn't feel good, no one wants to be there. Through the guidance of Christian friends, I learned to accept my weakness as a gift by having created the need and opportunity to experience the beauty of living in total dependence on God.
What is your area of weakness? What situations gives you the most fear or worry? We all blink to protect our eye from damage or pain, or help lessen existing pain. What is your blink that is really self-destructive more than self-protective? Trust God to grow and comfort you without you reflexively doing something harmful. Practice self-control today and think before you react when uncomfortable.

Prayer
Dear Father,
I am learning to recognize my weakness. Acknowledging and accepting my weakness keeps me looking to You...You are my strength. As I witness Your presence within those around me, I am learning that abundant life is not wealth. Abundant life is living in continual dependence on You. Instead of trying to fit my day into a preconceived idea of what it should be, I am learning to relax and to be constantly on the lookout for what You are doing within me and those around me. This approach frees me to enjoy You and to find out what plan You have for me today. This works so much better than trying to make everything work according to my own plan.
I pray this and all prayers in Jesus' name - AMEN

The Truth
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
...And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:13 and 19
And Asa cried to the LORD his God, "O LORD, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; let not man prevail against you."
2 Chronicles 14:11
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 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