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That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV

Have you seen it yet my dear sister? God’s glory being shown through you when you are weak, just as the Apostle Paul described in Corinthians? If you have not yet seen it yet then please pray and ask God to reveal it to you. It is such a tremendous blessing to know that He is bringing good out of one of the most difficult times in our lives.

When I am weak, then I am strong

The first time God made me aware of this truth about strength was during my brother’s funeral years ago. My sweet brother was murdered on his 24th birthday while riding his bike to work. It was a random act of violence that became front page news. As a result, my brother’s funeral was attended by hundreds of strangers and the media was there in full force. In the midst of walking around in a state of shock at the funeral, one of the reporters from a major newspaper cornered me for a comment. Out of my mouth came the quote “I think it is so special that God called my brother home for his birthday.” In my weakest moment – His strength was manifested. Forever, a reminder of His faithfulness.

Fast forward to September 12, 2011 and I am once again thrust into the murder of a family member, but this time it was my precious husband Dave driving to work, killed by a drunk driver. (It is classified as a murder because of the responsible party’s previous DUI convictions.) Shock, pain, grief – unfortunately this time familiar and yet even more debilitating. But once again God is faithful in providing the strength I need every step of the way.

Delighting in my weakness.

The first few weeks after my husband’s death several of my friends were shocked by my strength. They didn’t know if I was still in shock or what was going on. Very quickly two of my dear friends told them it was not me, it was God’s strength they were seeing. The funny thing was at first I was kind of offended. I thought here I am trying to hold it all together and they are not giving me any credit. It didn’t take long for me to realize they were absolutely right! It brought tremendous comfort knowing it was God’s strength, not me. My strength would falter but His strength would never fail!

Along the way, others have shared with me how they see God’s strength being magnified through me. I will never forget the day one of my friends shared with me that she now knew that no matter what she faced in life, she knew that her faith would sustain her, because she had seen how God did it for me. Wow, what a precious gift! One of the first times I can really remember delighting in my weakness.

Delighting in hardships.

During much of this journey, I have felt overwhelmed. The first two years I had to give several testimonies in various courts (worker’s compensation case and criminal case). Each time it was very apparent it was God who made me strong when I was weak. He was the one who enabled me to do what had to be done. Throughout the trials my daughters were present – there to support me even though they had more than enough on their own plates. Looking back I can see how God added to their faith by showing His strength through me during those trials. I delight in knowing how clearly they have seen God’s faithfulness in our lives.

There are times in this journey I still forget that God will give me the strength to carry me through. This journey is fraught with so many opportunities to worry. At the time of my husband’s death, I was very blessed to have a job I loved. I was the director of Small Groups at my church. But I agonized daily about the impact the grief and trials were having on my ability to do my job. One day when I was pouring out all of my concerns and worries to one of my mentors, she stopped me and said, “Don’t you realize God is teaching our church more about Biblical community through you in a way you never could?” Wow, my weakness turned into strength by God in yet another way. I am humbled and delighted to know God used our situation to strengthen our church community.

For Christ’s sake.

In many ways our journeys are the same, even though the circumstances are often very different. But for each of us, God is faithful. He will be true to His nature, He cannot lie. Like Paul, we can delight in knowing that in our weakness He will be there, He will carry us through, our faith will grow. People around us will be blessed by seeing God at work in our lives. Our children’s faith will become stronger. For when we are weak, then we are strong! And it is all for a much bigger purpose – it is for Christ’s sake.

Dear Heavenly Father, we praise you for who you are. You are the maker of the heavens and the earth. You are our Redeemer and our Savior. Thank you for providing for our every need and thank you for being our strength during this journey. I thank you Father for all you are doing through us during this season for your kingdom, for your glory. Help us keep our eyes focused on you and to walk in obedience. Your grace is sufficient for us. Father, please strengthen and encourage me and my sisters today, please continue to reveal to us how our weaknesses are being turned into strength, for your glory!
In Jesus’s name. Amen.