Hey guys, happy almost-end-of-the-year! Yep, still over here reeling over the fact that we're now close to the end of August! It's been a good summer so far and as someone who loves warm weather, it's been nice to have a couple of heatwaves. For most of us, the heatwave has meant slowing down and not pushing ourselves too much. Hot weather in itself can be quite physically taxing (don't ask me how; I don't know the science, just what my body says 🤷🏽♀️). The last few months have been a delicate dance between being out in the sun, making the most of the summer, and hiding behind my black-out curtains at home. That's life - it's always about balance. I spent most of Thursday and Friday not feeling great and even spent some of that time feeling sorry for myself. It happens.
When that feeling came, I focused as much energy as I could muster on doing activities I like, in short bursts so I didn't wholly tire myself out. I also started to think about weaknesses. I was already feeling physically worn out and was starting to feel the same way mentally. Then I started to battle the feeling of mental weakness. I didn't want to get to that point and wanted to fight it. And that's when this phrase came to mind: "God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers". I immediately rejected that thought because I realised I could be led down a path of wrongly validating the source of my feelings. I didn't want to give it any more power by entertaining the idea that it could be a 'battle' sent from God to 'toughen' me up. It wasn't that and I knew it. That saying itself has no scriptural root (that I'm aware of) and I struggled to comprehend what that saying was encouraging me to do. I know I'm God's soldier and I know He trains me for battle (Psalm 18, 144). I also know He is the one who fights on my behalf and I am simply His vessel to bring about His will.
So how does my weakness allow me to be used by God? In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul hears God say this: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness". So, hearing God say this to Paul, is it fair to conclude that God gives strength to the weak? Yes, it's completely fair to conclude this and here are a few examples:
David, a mere boy, destroyed Goliath with a small stone.
Gideon, the least in his family (the weakest clan), led a small army to destroy Israel's enemies.
Daniel & friends, who only fed on vegetables, appeared the strongest and most competent of all the young men living in the palace.
These are just a few of several examples in the bible of what we consider the underdog. Those who considered themselves as God's vessels and only with the grace and power of God were able to demonstrate the might of God to those around them. They were not the strongest but they fought the toughest battles. They were the most faithful. Faithful to God, putting their trust in none other than Jehovah Moshiekh (The Lord our Saviour). And that was the reminder I was looking for. Yes, I considered myself weak because I was tired, worn down and just down in general BUT, this was the point at which I tapped into the saving grace of God. I'm not relying on my strength and wisdom but on the Lord's strength, which is made perfect in my weakness, and his wisdom.
That's all you and I need to get through those tough days. Don't try to be strong and dismiss the Lord's power to fight your battle. Submit your weakness to His power and ask Him to help you. Pray for His grace and strength and be prepared to be strengthened, vindicated and covered!