Growing Through Weakness

Sometimes we have rough days. Then there are those times when the rough days seem to last for weeks and months.

Our attempts to make it to appointments on time are destroyed by heavy traffic. Our hopes to clean our entire house are thwarted by spontaneously sick children. When we try to accomplish our tasks for the day, unexpected interruptions find us just in time to divert our attention and energy toward duties that were not even on our radar.

Our reactions can involve feelings of frustration, aggravation, and hints of hopelessness, as we feel as if we’re once again failing well before 10 in the morning.

In these moments it’s important to understand that throughout most of our days we may find ourselves falling behind schedule, failing to accomplish the things we’ve prioritized in lieu of putting out fires, and that this may become our norm in certain seasons of life. But it’s also important to know that when things seem to be overwhelming and life’s pressures are coming to bear that you are greatly loved as a child of God, regardless of how much you accomplish.

When you’d give yourself an “F” for your daily performance and there seem to be a million things left undone, the Lord loves you greatly, calls you blessed, and would speak His word of encouragement over you.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9–11)

Although weakness may annoy us, our heavenly Father is never repulsed or annoyed by our weakness. In fact, when dealing with others who are in the midst of their weakness and sin, Jesus often displayed the nature of His Father, who delights in showing mercy.

“When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, ‘Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’  She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.'” (Jn. 8:10–11)

When the accuser of the brethren is hurling lies toward us about our character, performance, abilities, and weakness, we can rest confidently knowing that we are appreciated, wanted, loved, redeemed, and supported by the One who desires for us to “boast in our weaknesses” (2 Cor. 12: 9). Our weaknesses are not too great to overcome the power and strength of our Father, who is well acquainted with the weakness of man through the life of His Son, Jesus.

The second member of the Trinity is familiar with the challenges of everyday life—the mounting pressures and last-minute interruptions that distract and derail us. He is the One who invites us to come near, regardless of how well we feel things are going. The surprising truth is that He even enjoys us when we feel we’re at our worst.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Mt. 11:28–30)

When we fall short, Jesus invites us to come close and seek His thoughts about our tasks and performance.

When we sin, Jesus invites us to come and repent and allow Him to cleanse us.

When we’ve believed the lies of the enemy, Jesus delights for us to come and allow Him to speak truth over us.

In every situation, we must remember Jesus is for us (Rom. 8:31). He is committed to taking us from glory to glory in order to present us spotless before the Father (2 Cor. 3:18; Jude 1:24).

As a good Father, God is eager to display His nature toward us as He causes us to mature and grow. He continuously makes Himself available to us, gently reminding us to look to the author and finisher of our faith, who causes us to triumph.

Yes, there may be times when we miss deadlines, completely forget appointments, or come to the end of our day with nothing checked off our to-do lists, but we are not without hope. We are loved by the One who does not hesitate to say, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, yes, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10).

Find out how God feels about you because of His great grace in Mike Bickle’s teaching, “God’s Superior Love: How God Feels about Us”