"Then (God) told me,
My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become."
2 Corinthians 12:9-12 The Message
"I'll refresh tired bodies;I'll restore tired souls." Jeremiah 31:25 The Message
I am tired and feeling it these days: physically but especially mentally. I get frustrated with myself when this happens, especially when there is "no good reason" (or so my warped thinking tries to have me believe). "It's just life, deal with it!", I hear myself saying inside my head.
Yes, it's just life, but it has been tiring. The death of a dear neighbor, the busyness of the end of school year, the never-ending daily to-do's, the flurry of too many clients' stories, and who knows what else are floating around in my tired brain.
Luckily for me, God will refresh tired bodies and restore tired souls. I am counting on Him to do it, for I certainly can not do it on my own, and I have no desire to crash and burn. I am still on a sharp learning curve when it comes to the message in 2Corinthians 12:9-12.
Weakness is so often seen as a negative, and I certainly can get down on myself when I think I am weak (like this week!) But Jesus reminds me that weakness is a strength, when I rely on Him to get me through and fill me up with His strength: for then I can accomplish what alone would be impossible.
Jesus, help me to remember that whether I am tired, feeling my limitations, have been cut down to size or have run into unexpected obstacles, that You and your grace are all I need. You will turn my weakness into your supernatural strength, if only I can humble myself long enough to admit I need your help. Jesus, please take over my life: restore me, refresh me, turn my weakness into Your strength. Amen
More Healing Word of God: Mark 6:31; Psalm 119:114
I find the ability to gain strength when I reach out to someone on the same journey as I, it seems that when I can put my weakness into words with someone I trust that I can gain what I need to grow from the experience. Like lunches with a friend or a running buddy, it works because because God works in us and it takes our presencel to see him, he will give us the light we need for the step we are on.
ReplyDeleteThnak you Maureen for your wonderful comments, they always give me more to think about...and I am thankful for the wisdom of my Wednesday lunch buddy!
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