Weakness and perspective

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 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 12:9-10

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.       --Philippians 4:11(b)-13

Both of those passages of the Bible were written by the apostle Paul. He also wrote this: "Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked." (2 Corinthians 11:25-27) Yep, the same man who said that he delights in his weaknesses, who says he finds his strength in his weakness, who says he is content no matter the circumstances, he survived all of this.

This morning I found myself repeating and praying through those top two passages. I needed strength in the middle of my weakness. I needed contentment. I needed to feel like I could do whatever needed to be done through Christ's strength.

I was getting the kids ready for school.

Sometimes I feel like maybe I need a little perspective on what it really means to "have a rough day."

But then I remember this verse:
"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens." --Psalm 68:19

Every day. Every burden. No matter how big--OR how small. God says, "I've got this for you. I will gladly take that."

And then... And then... it's not your own strength your using. It's GOD's strength. And that is some major power.

"For when I am weak, then I am strong."


What's your burden today? I can promise you, God will take it if you will just.let.go.