Hello ,
At first glance this verse seemed to make no sense at all to me years ago. "For when I am weak, I am strong." Huh? How could this possibly be?
- When I am weak I don't feel strong...I feel weak!
- When I am weak, I can't do some of the things that I am used to doing.
- When I am weak, I feel vulnerable and tapped out.
- When I am weak, even the smallest tasks can sometimes seem huge.
How is a verse like this reconciled in the heart of a weak person who knows (perhaps better than anyone else,) their limitations? How can a person "take pleasure" in their infirmities, perplexities, and struggles?
That's a great question!
A year ago this May, I lost my voice for about 5 days. I literally lost my voice! It wasn't just a sore throat, or a squeaky voice...it was gone. I've never checked with the rest of my family to see if that was a blessing to them...(I may have secretly been afraid of the answer that I would receive,) but I was devastated. To not be able to verbally communicate was a bit of challenge for me in so many
ways.
- I couldn't talk on the telephone. I'm a "phone-talker," and this was a special challenge. :)
- I couldn't call out the door to my children when I needed them for something.
- I couldn't pray out loud with my family.
- I couldn't verbally tell any of my family members that I loved them. (They could watch me form the words, but nothing came out.)
- I couldn't carry on even the smallest business transaction without writing things down. It made for some interesting dialogue between myself and the cashiers I did business with.
- I wondered how long it might last, and the thought came to me, "What if this is permanent?"
- I couldn't sing. I like to sing, and when I'm playing my guitar it is a natural thing to do.
However, I discovered some things that I never knew before:
- I didn't need to talk as much as I had previously thought that I did.
- I had to rely on others to do things for me that I could not do for myself. I couldn't answer my phone, and when people called, I had to rely on a family member to answer and explain the situation to the caller.
- I came to realize that I often "filled-up" quiet space in my life with talking. I began to fill some of that space with "thinking" and meditating. I got some reading done that I had putting off for a long while, and I took a much needed break from verbal communication.
- God was there, and as I "talked" with Him through my thoughts, I could feel His presence in a way that I had not experienced it before.
- The overwhelming recognition that God simply MUST be given control of my life during everything that I go through. I'm a pastor. What if I hadn't gotten my voice back. Not much job security there.
- That God can bring peace to a person's heart no matter what life circumstances come their way.
God works best in environments where people recognize that He is the source of peace, power, and strength in ALL situations!
I have seen it again and again in my ministry with ailing people. God has an amazing capability to come close to those who struggle. He does it in ways that cannot be explained, but He does it nonetheless.
Knowing that God is in control even when we struggle, suffer, and go through trials is a great comfort. Recognizing that in the great scheme of things, that He has the whole world in His hands gives us hope for a brighter eternal future.
Life is not always easy, but God is ALWAYS good!
Have a great day and God bless!
