“He answered me, “I am all you need. I give you My loving-favor. My power works best in weak people.” I am happy to be weak and have troubles so I can have Christ’s power in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLV

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Like Paul, I think we can agree that we all have weaknesses. We not only deal with physical defects and imperfections, but emotional, intellectual and spiritual. On top of that, there are many circumstances in life we cannot control that also weaken us. The first thing we do is deny our weaknesses, make excuses for them, justify ourselves and hide them, but God has a totally different way of looking at them. In His Word, He teaches us that His thoughts and ways are higher than ours, which is why many times His response is the opposite of what we expected. He not only wants to use our strengths, He also wants to use our weaknesses for His glory, He wants to demonstrate His power through us; He is our safe place!

In order to allow the Lord to work through our weaknesses and transform them into something powerful, we need to learn the following principles from Paul’s life:

LET´S GO DEEPER

1. Recognize our weaknesses

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” 1 John 1:9 NLT

If we really want God to use us, we need to know who God is and who we are: admit our imperfections, stop pretending that everything is under control, be honest, humble and moldable. It’s not about denying what ́s wrong  or excusing ourselves; it’s time to make that list of everything that needs light, direction and correction in our lives.

To feel free and fulfilled, we need to open our hearts and expose what’s inside. Being ministered to receive healing and freedom begins with a humble and vulnerable heart. We need to confess our struggles, doubts, challenges and feelings first.

Paul did it in all of his letters, writing with sincerity about his:

Faults: “I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.” (Romans 7:19 NLT)

Frustrations: “We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.” (2 Corinthians 1: 8 NLT)

Fears: “I came to you in weakness — timid and trembling.” (1 Corinthians 2: 3 NLT)

The more honest we are, the more of God’s grace will we receive!

2. Rejoice in the process

An attitude of contentment and patience in the midst of our processes of transformation expresses our confidence in the goodness of God. Paul gives us reasons to rejoice in the midst of our weaknesses. First, because they make us more dependent on the Lord. They keep us humble and encourage unity among brothers in the faith, making us edify one another.

The things we want to hide and never share are the tools that God will powerfully use to heal others.

While our character is transformed we need to:

• continue praying
• continue serving
• keep going to church and cell group
• keep sowing (don’t stop!)
• keep believing

God wants to take your weaknesses and transform them, but while it happens, rejoice!

3. Run to our safe place

“So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 b (TPT)

The Word is full of examples of how God loves those who take refuge in Him and confess their weaknesses, and how He uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

Instead of acting self-sufficient and like no one is better than us, we need to understand that we are the result of Grace. When the enemy points to our weaknesses, we must take refuge in the work of the cross and declare the power that is in the blood of Jesus. It is through the blood that we can experience a divine exchange, where we give God our rebellious and weak nature and receive the Lord’s strength and power to rise and conquer.

PRAYER

• For the ministration, keep in mind each of the benefits obtained through the seven outpourings of the blood of Jesus. Guide your cell group in prayer, with the purpose of declaring that through the blood of Jesus they each receive a new nature.
• Ask the Lord for a new level of faith and trust in Him and His promises.
• Enter into covenant with God and ask that His Holy Spirit be the One to guide you continually and strengthen you in the midst of trials and weaknesses. In all circumstances, determine to make the presence of God your safe place.