I shared this weekend with you that I experienced a slight setback in my 40 Day Journey to share the perspectives that I am finding through a painful struggle we are enduring. I also promised you that I would not let this setback stop me – I would find a way to overcome.
When I fell I injured my right hand… the one that I use for everything. Thankfully X-rays came back negative and I am only dealing with a bad sprain that will heal in a week or so. While I was grateful for this news… I was still frustrated. I told one friend, “it feels like the icing on a cake that I never ordered in the first place.”
Here is something that you need to know about me; I am not very good at asking for help.
As they strapped a cumbersome splint onto my aching, dominate hand… I knew that being independent and proud was something I was going to have to sacrifice for a few days. My husband knew it too as he reminded me several times that he was here to help and we would get through this together.
As I have been unable to do even some of the smallest tasks the last few days I have been reminded of just how weak I really am.
In our society weaknesses of all types are looked upon negatively. We strive to be independent, secure, and strong so that we fit the world’s definition of success.
I have been pondering this the last few days and have come to the conclusion that what we are taught in this world is the opposite of what God teaches us in his word. Never once does the Bible say…. blessed are the strong and proud for they will be successful. On the contrary He tells us:
- “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5
- Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 29:19
Just as I am having to humble myself to depend upon my husband to help meet my physical needs due to my injury recently… I also need to humbly allow God’s strength to help me overcome my weaknesses. One of the verses that is often quoted in hard times is: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13
It is vital that we remember he doesn’t give us this strength so that we can become independent from him…but instead more dependant upon him. God provides his strength to us for the things that he has called us to– not the plans that I have crafted myself.
If it were up to me I would enjoy a life safely insides the confines of my comfort zone; free of pain and struggle. However, God loves me too much to only use my strengths and let me stay comfortable. Therefore, he allows circumstances to stretch and strengthen my greatest weaknesses.
Much like I am learning to use and strengthen my weaker left hand through this injury… God is using our current struggles to strengthen my weaknesses of; pride, independence, stubbornness, and even the desire to try to fix everything myself. I may not like the struggles, emotional or physical, that we are dealing with right now but I believe we will get through them–through God’s strength and not my own.
This song by Matthew West has become my theme song in this time of struggle. I pray that it blesses you today as you listen to the promise that God is strong enough when we are not.
I invite you to travel with me on this 40 day journey as I seek to find and share perspective in our pain. Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or by subscribing to the blog.
Today, I would love to hear your thoughts on God’s strengthening our weaknesses – please feel free to leave a comment below.
Amen–people often ask why bad things happen to good people. I think God loves us too much to make things too easy. If they were, we would fail to learn what He wants to teach. We would fail to grow. And we would fail to lean on Him rather than “our own understanding.” Blessings and Peace to you, my friend.