January 10th, 2022
Written by Amanda Allums
In 2 Corinthians 12:9 it says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Have you ever really contemplated what that means? I have to admit I never thought about how this verse could apply to me until I wrestled with God myself. I would like to share two ways that this verse can speak to you; and I would like to share what God spoke to me when I was feeling weak and needed God’s strength if I was going to make it through a particular week in my life.
As I was facing a certain situation, I was feeling super inadequate and I needed affirmation from God. I needed to know if I was doing the right thing, having the right attitude, and taking the right steps. But, what He gave me instead was 2 Corinthians 12. I got affirmation alright. God agreed with me that I was weak. But then He reminded me that in my weakness is when He shines the brightest; I needed to face this situation head on because He would be glorified through it.
After God reminded me of this scripture, I asked myself, “how is God made strong?” He made the whole world just by speaking a word so He is the definition of strength, and furthermore, the definition of any positive attribute. Anything good within us or in this world comes from Him! This tells me that God doesn’t need us to be strong. He is strength. God is not made strong by His attributes (as awesome as they all are).
So, I had to ask myself another question: “what are my weaknesses that God is referring to?” I know I was feeling weak, but why? I know my own weaknesses and strengths. My family knows my weaknesses and strengths. I learn new weaknesses about myself every week, in fact, every day! So, if I know my weaknesses, why can’t I control when I am weak? Why can’t I avoid this feeling of inadequacy? Well, my friends, the answer to this is easier said than done which is why I feel God gave me this topic to write about. If you read this blog and grasp the importance of this biblical teaching, you just took a step in the direction of spiritual maturity as you head further into this new year.
For me to take this step of spiritual maturity, I had to make it personal because I know I have many weaknesses. In fact, some days I feel like God says, “I need a good laugh today so let’s see what Amanda‘s got going on.” Sometimes I feel like I am God’s own comedy network channel because of some of the crazy things I get myself into. If anyone knows me at all, they know that I am not a carpenter, yet I do small projects that involve tools. I am not a professional singer, yet I sing on our worship team. I am not a painter or a maintenance person, yet I have been tasked with those types of things at times. I am not a therapist, yet I counsel people in the Word. I have no background in finances, yet God trusts me with some of these tasks for the church alongside Harold and Sue Garrett. I know those of you reading this can insert your own list of tasks as well. We all do things we feel unqualified to do, and in my case, most definitely aren’t qualified to do, right?
So, why does God choose to use me in these areas when I am not qualified for any of them? Because in my weakness, He is made strong! I can’t do any of them without God! I make mistakes, I have victories, and sometimes I cry inside because I get so frustrated. But I know that God has called and entrusted me to do these things, so I am obedient. He knows that I will turn to Him for help and anything good that I do, He will receive all of the glory for it. As long as we remain humble and give God all the glory for anything good we do, then He is made strong in our weakness and we are living according to His Word.
Part of being His servant and being obedient to His Word is doing what you are asked to do, not only by God, but also by leadership. Even if it is your own husband, ha! I have messed up so many things and then had to fix them. Sometimes once, sometimes twice, and the third time I go get Pastor Josh, Pastor Alex, or Jerry Sims. Then there are times that I think “how in the world am I going to do this?” Then God amazes me and pulls out a miracle and everything turns out wonderful.
So far, I have mentioned one way to look at this scripture, but let me briefly explain another side of it. Sometimes, our weaknesses can come from trials in our life and not just personality or natural weaknesses as I referred to above. Sometimes, our weaknesses are thrust upon us, like Paul in this chapter when he wrestled with the Angel. Sometimes they are things that happen because of our own undoing, or they are attacks straight from the devil, but other times, they can be things that God allows to happen in order to remind us to rely on Him for strength and to keep us humble. No matter what circumstances you relate your weaknesses to, the lesson remains the same.
When we truly lead a God-filled, spirit-lead, and humble life, God shines through because we know that anything we do that has any significance has to be from God. Anyone who knows me knows that I could not have possibly done certain things without the help of God. The only reason I can do anything of any significance is because I ask God to help me.
I warned you that this is easier said than done, and I know that because I have had to walk through some things in order to come to this understanding, and I still have to be knocked in the head by God at times. So the next time you are feeling inadequate or weak, turn to God and ask for strength. Just remember where it comes from and give Him the glory when He brings you through. As children of God, we need to keep the focus on Jesus and remain humble because anything good we do comes only by His strength. We are simply His vessels.
I will leave you to contemplate this scripture: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom” (James 3:13).
In 2 Corinthians 12:9 it says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Have you ever really contemplated what that means? I have to admit I never thought about how this verse could apply to me until I wrestled with God myself. I would like to share two ways that this verse can speak to you; and I would like to share what God spoke to me when I was feeling weak and needed God’s strength if I was going to make it through a particular week in my life.
As I was facing a certain situation, I was feeling super inadequate and I needed affirmation from God. I needed to know if I was doing the right thing, having the right attitude, and taking the right steps. But, what He gave me instead was 2 Corinthians 12. I got affirmation alright. God agreed with me that I was weak. But then He reminded me that in my weakness is when He shines the brightest; I needed to face this situation head on because He would be glorified through it.
After God reminded me of this scripture, I asked myself, “how is God made strong?” He made the whole world just by speaking a word so He is the definition of strength, and furthermore, the definition of any positive attribute. Anything good within us or in this world comes from Him! This tells me that God doesn’t need us to be strong. He is strength. God is not made strong by His attributes (as awesome as they all are).
So, I had to ask myself another question: “what are my weaknesses that God is referring to?” I know I was feeling weak, but why? I know my own weaknesses and strengths. My family knows my weaknesses and strengths. I learn new weaknesses about myself every week, in fact, every day! So, if I know my weaknesses, why can’t I control when I am weak? Why can’t I avoid this feeling of inadequacy? Well, my friends, the answer to this is easier said than done which is why I feel God gave me this topic to write about. If you read this blog and grasp the importance of this biblical teaching, you just took a step in the direction of spiritual maturity as you head further into this new year.
For me to take this step of spiritual maturity, I had to make it personal because I know I have many weaknesses. In fact, some days I feel like God says, “I need a good laugh today so let’s see what Amanda‘s got going on.” Sometimes I feel like I am God’s own comedy network channel because of some of the crazy things I get myself into. If anyone knows me at all, they know that I am not a carpenter, yet I do small projects that involve tools. I am not a professional singer, yet I sing on our worship team. I am not a painter or a maintenance person, yet I have been tasked with those types of things at times. I am not a therapist, yet I counsel people in the Word. I have no background in finances, yet God trusts me with some of these tasks for the church alongside Harold and Sue Garrett. I know those of you reading this can insert your own list of tasks as well. We all do things we feel unqualified to do, and in my case, most definitely aren’t qualified to do, right?
So, why does God choose to use me in these areas when I am not qualified for any of them? Because in my weakness, He is made strong! I can’t do any of them without God! I make mistakes, I have victories, and sometimes I cry inside because I get so frustrated. But I know that God has called and entrusted me to do these things, so I am obedient. He knows that I will turn to Him for help and anything good that I do, He will receive all of the glory for it. As long as we remain humble and give God all the glory for anything good we do, then He is made strong in our weakness and we are living according to His Word.
Part of being His servant and being obedient to His Word is doing what you are asked to do, not only by God, but also by leadership. Even if it is your own husband, ha! I have messed up so many things and then had to fix them. Sometimes once, sometimes twice, and the third time I go get Pastor Josh, Pastor Alex, or Jerry Sims. Then there are times that I think “how in the world am I going to do this?” Then God amazes me and pulls out a miracle and everything turns out wonderful.
So far, I have mentioned one way to look at this scripture, but let me briefly explain another side of it. Sometimes, our weaknesses can come from trials in our life and not just personality or natural weaknesses as I referred to above. Sometimes, our weaknesses are thrust upon us, like Paul in this chapter when he wrestled with the Angel. Sometimes they are things that happen because of our own undoing, or they are attacks straight from the devil, but other times, they can be things that God allows to happen in order to remind us to rely on Him for strength and to keep us humble. No matter what circumstances you relate your weaknesses to, the lesson remains the same.
When we truly lead a God-filled, spirit-lead, and humble life, God shines through because we know that anything we do that has any significance has to be from God. Anyone who knows me knows that I could not have possibly done certain things without the help of God. The only reason I can do anything of any significance is because I ask God to help me.
I warned you that this is easier said than done, and I know that because I have had to walk through some things in order to come to this understanding, and I still have to be knocked in the head by God at times. So the next time you are feeling inadequate or weak, turn to God and ask for strength. Just remember where it comes from and give Him the glory when He brings you through. As children of God, we need to keep the focus on Jesus and remain humble because anything good we do comes only by His strength. We are simply His vessels.
I will leave you to contemplate this scripture: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom” (James 3:13).
1 Comment
Thank you for this message.