How many times have you asked God, “why me?!?” “Why do bad things happen to me?” “I feel like Job!”
If you have asked those questions, take a minute to listen to get some answers.
Boasting in our weakness. How many times have you asked God, “Why me?” Or “why do bad things always happen to me?” Maybe you have asked God to remove the problem. Paul gives us a great illustration of that happening to him and how he handled it in:
2 Corinthians 12
He says, to keep me from becoming overly proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from the Adversary to pound away at me, so that I wouldn’t grow conceited. He says, three times I begged the Lord to take this thing away from me; but God told him, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is brought to perfection in weakness.” Therefore, I am very happy to boast about my weaknesses, in order that the Messiah’s power will rest upon me. Yes, I am well pleased with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties endured on behalf of the Messiah; for it is when I am weak that I am strong.
How do we boast in our weaknesses?
We all have our moments where we question God. Why did this happen to me? What did I do to deserve this? We may even find ourselves questioning His very existence at times. In these lowest of low moments, it is hard to understand how we are supposed to boast in our weaknesses like Scripture tells us to do. But God never said that following Him would be easy- in fact, He warned us that it would be quite the opposite (John 16:33). So how can we do something that seems so counterintuitive? Let’s explore together what it means to boast in our weaknesses and why God asks us to do this.
We all have weaknesses, but God can use them for our good
Struggling with our weaknesses can be discouraging, especially when it feels like we put in so much effort yet progress is slow. But the truth is that God can turn even our greatest weaknesses into something that brings Him glory. He sees our pain and uses it to strengthen us and make us more like Him. The Bible says “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Every time we face our weaknesses head on and call on God for His strength instead of relying on ourselves, our faith will be made stronger. We can trust that God knows what He’s doing and that His plans for us are good!
Our boasting should be in Yeshua our Messiah, not ourselves
When we set our minds to seek Yeshua and not ourselves, we can be assured that He is at work in us. All boasting must therefore be in what He has done for us rather than anything we have accomplished on our own. After all, it is only by His grace that any good comes from our efforts. We should never forget how God’s mercy has provided for us in so many ways. His plan of redemption through Yeshua reveals the fullness of His love and the hope He brings to each of us. As believers, we have a duty to continually thank Him and His son, Yeshua, by living lives that honor them both; this is the most natural form of boasting. It truly is so humbling that out of all the people on earth, He chose us to declare His glory!
When we are weak, we are actually stronger because we rely on God’s strength
Let’s have an attitude adjustment and welcome the trials knowing that they will draw us closer in relationship to God and we will be able to rely on His strength to get through them. Have you ever dreamed of having a huge hero protector to take care of you during life’s battles? Well, He was here the whole time waiting on you to call on Him to fight for you. The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:10 that God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. When the going gets tough, it is during those moments when our faith is tested and grows stronger. We can find great comfort knowing that no matter what challenge or struggle comes our way, we have a Heavenly Father who promises to never abandon us; a power greater than ourselves. Psalm 118:6 reminds us of this truth, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear; What can man do to me?” Even in our toughest moments, remembering the promise of His presence helps bring peace and the courage to keep going forward.
We need to trust that God knows what He is doing when He allows us to go through difficult times
As we walk through difficult times, it can be hard to keep our faith when the end isn’t yet in sight. We must remember that God is a loving and perfect creator — fully aware of the path He has placed us on. While our suffering may not make sense at the moment, we should trust that He is working through it for our own benefit and growth. Our lives continue to unfold according to His will, so as we trust Him to hold us through this trial, we can face each moment with an open heart and courage knowing that His love knows no bounds and that nothing is too great for Him to get us through.
Don’t focus on your own limitations, but on what God can do through you despite them
It’s easy to get overwhelmed and discouraged when looking at our limits and failures, but the Bible reminds us that God is greater than any obstacle. He often asks us to begin the task or journey with what we have in front of us, despite our limitations. All we need is faith the size of a mustard seed. With that faith, God will make a way for us. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands (Isaiah 43:18-19).” When we trust God to carry out His plans even in spite of our own personal faults or lack thereof, He will show up and provide a path forward. All we need to do is set our hearts on Him and focus on who He is and what He can do—not on our human limitations.
Despite our weaknesses, God can still use us for His good purposes. We should boast in our Messiah alone, and not ourselves. When we are weak, we are actually stronger because we rely on God’s strength. Trusting that God knows what He is doing even when we go through difficult times is vital. Remember-don’t focus on your limitations but rather on what God can do through you despite them! If this message encouraged you today or if you are fighting mental health issues and need help, please reach out to the Father and trust Him in all circumstances, turn back to the Him, repent, and study the whole Bible from Genesis 1:1 to the last word in Revelation to get the whole story He wants to tell you firsthand.
What a delightful thought!
I invite you to search the Truth yourself. Test it. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
Please go to your Bible and study the entire story. See firsthand what His word says and what He wants to show you. I always check several versions to allow the Spirit to show me the difference and truth. I recommend you do the same.
Enjoy pondering that thought today!
God bless you