2 Corinthians 12:9 says “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

In this passage, Paul is defending his ministry from people who were using his current predicaments against him.  However, Paul takes a different approach and talks about how the very things that are showing his weaknesses are actually reasons to boast.  Instead of being discouraged by his weaknesses, he delights in them.

Until today, I always misinterpreted weakness thinking it was comparable to strengths.  However, its really talking about situations or circumstances that make us feel weak. 

Paul writes how he pleaded with God to take the torment away from him, but He did not.  Instead, He gave Paul what he needed to get through the torment.  I remember so many times when I just wanted God to take something away from me so that I didn’t have to deal with it.  However, God does not take away the fire before he walks us through it. 

Paul continues to write how he sees his weakness as a delight and not a source of agony.  They are something to be joyfully accepted and not fearfully avoided.  We don’t delight in our weakness for ourselves, but we delight in it for the sake of Christ, so that His name may be glorified and His power be on display. 

This really has been eye-opening for me.  I pray that this helps anyone struggling through weakness. 

Phil