Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Day 35 - God's Power in Your Weakness

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DAY 35

Point to Ponder:
God works best when I admit my weakness.

Verse to Remember: "My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9a (NIV)

Question to Consider: Am I limiting God's power in my life by trying to hide my weaknesses? What do I need to be honest about in order to help others?


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5 comments:

  1. I don't think I'm trying to hide my weaknesses. I feel some of my biggest weaknesses are my family past, my jibbety jabbery mouth, my tendency to OCD (just ask my husband and kids), my sinful past, my tendency towards addictions (like smoking and over eating) and my tendency to get overwhelmed with the day to day. I think I talk about these things with others and don't try to hide.

    Maybe I can be more honest about insecurities ..... I have them like most others but don't talk about them much. I can sometimes have the best time in the world with friends and when they're gone I can replay the whole evening and convince myself I did things wrong and they won't like me anymore. I know it's stupid and most of my friends have been around for years and accept me and like me for me- but I still can get that way. I'm afraid people think I'm a bad mom or that I have bad kids because of being told those things over and over for years (literally) by abusive family members. I can have the best day in the world and be the best mom I can be and still feel like I'm no good at it. I get scared that people think badly of me for the dumbest reasons- especially when I'm tired and worn out- then I can really convince myself that I'm not likable for a number of reasons. I don't talk about it much though- it embarasses me. I don't think people will understand the amount of harsh words and criticism I've taken in my life and will just think I'm dramatic and weak (hence the chapter) and not be able to comprehend all that I've been through to make me that way. That is a weakness I could be more honest about and stop trying to hide. I yearn for acceptance though, not getting it for so long from the people I needed it from, so I hide it.

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  2. Lynn, we love you! The fact that you are very open about who you are and about your past is one of many reasons we like you. I think your past is something that has made you a stronger person overall. Coupled with your growth in Christ, you have a powerful testimony and may be able to use it to help troubled teens or others who grew up in similar situations.

    As a man, I obviously try my best to hide my weaknesses. Every guy wants to be strong, bold, etc. But I sometimes struggle with self-doubt, will always be tempted to lust, and have occasional OCD. Yes, I do the counting, double-checking doors/lights, and so on (not too bad and only self-diagnosed though).

    I'm sure I have a couple more weaknesses, just kinda hard to think right now to label them. I'm not hiding them, honest!

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  3. I need to recommit my eating to God. It has really gotten out of hand for the past 2-3 years. I am in my mid 30's... I am not old (maybe to Jer and Jess), but I do not possess that young body that could eat everything in the fridge and burn it all off by the end of the day. I want a healthy body to expand my services to God and to be here longer for my wife and kids.

    I also struggle with confidence. In the past few months I have come to realize that I haven't had a good mentor in my life. I mean, there has been a few men that have impacted my life, but not long term. The influences of my father have not been there to let me know that I am good enough, that I can conquer whatever obstacle is in front of me. As child and as a teen (and as of resent)there has been really bad name calling and labeling who I am through my parent's anger.

    If God has a new plan, a new ministry for me- It takes me 10x longer to work through the doubts and the feelings that I am good enough or qualified enough to get the job done for God. I go through this weird process of re-living my failures before looking at the success I've had in Christ. Somewhere along the way I missed out on a dad who believed in me and told me "You can do it!". I need to see myself through God's eyes and realize I am good enough for Him. I can be successful through Jesus!

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  4. Like Jer said, it is difficult to label my weaknesses. I know they exist, but they are easier to recognize when they show their faces in situations. The biggest one that I can think of is my low self esteem. I know that it is one thing that has held me back from many things that I could be doing to better my life and to better serve God. I need to look to God more and realize that He is the only perfect "10" and I need to look to Jesus and rely on His strength, especially in the face of personal weakness.

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  5. We love you too Je fa-fa!!!

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