We live in a society that is afraid to admit weakness. We are afraid to lose, to fail, to admit when we are wrong. Somewhere along the way, we learned that we are the ones in control, and in order to succeed in this thing we call “life,” we have to somehow be strong in everything we do. But, that is a lie.

The moment when I realized I was stronger than I thought was the moment when I stopped believing how “strong” I had to be, and I began relying more on Christ to be strong in me. I realized that I could admit that I needed help, that I didn’t have all the answers, and that somehow I didn’t even have all my proverbial ducks in a row because I didn’t even know if I even had any ducks left.

God humbled me.

Has He ever had to humble you?

There was a Neo Babylonian King in the Bible who thought he was so strong. But, in the end, God had to show him that although he owned so much, and he was in charge of a great dynasty, God is still God.

That king had to leave his throne, learn to be vulnerable by living in the open elements, rain or sun, eating grass as oxen, and he had to learn to wait upon the Lord for his next steps, as all he could simply do for a season was watch his hair grow out like eagle feathers and his fingernails transform into claws, instead of soaring in the air as an eagle, a true leader, is supposed to do. Do you know who I am talking about? Yep, King Nebuchadnezzar. He ruled for 43 years. You can read about his humbling experience here.

It amazes me how much God cared about this pagan king, so much that He took time to discipline him and place him back as a humbled man. As a result, Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom gained a new insight and a new strength.

Let me say this again, God did this to a pagan king…the king who had once thrown 3 righteous guys into his fiery furnace for not bowing down to his golden statue!

How much more will God carefully discipline His children, those who in Christ love Him and are trying to do their best to serve Him to show them their strength is only perfected in His Love?

So, yeah, I learned in my season that I didn’t have to be strong or perfect for God to love me. So, I stopped being plastic perfect fruit. I learned to be the real fruit in a platter of gold that is at times bruised, vulnerable, and broken, but when God’s Spirit lives on the inside, it bears a sweet aroma and taste of His Presence to others. Being strong is an illusion. I have now learned that I am not, and I don’t have to be.

But, I can be strengthened every day by the One who is strong in me.

One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:13 which reads:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

This means that I no longer have to prove my ability; I just have to be ready to call out to God when I need His help. This requires me being willing to be weak and willing to humbly admit when I need His help.

Paul also said in 2 Corinthians 12:9-11:

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Yes, it’s now Christ in me. He strengthens me. As a result, I can do all things. That is what being strong now means to me. 🙂

What about you? Have you ever had a time when you realized that your weakness in an area was used by God to build strength in you, your relationships, or your outreach to others? I’d love to hear about it!

Blessings!

Christine 🌼