Thankful for My Weaknesses
By Dawn Tolbert
“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.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Can I tell you a secret? Sometimes I don’t know why anyone would listen to me.
I often view myself as a dumb little sister who has nothing to offer. I’ve earned three degrees and spent years trying to write myself out of this way of thinking, but I still feel weak and unworthy. Popular psychology might say I struggle with self-esteem or “imposter syndrome” and tell me to focus on building my confidence.
But I don’t want to become confident in myself because I am flawed. I don’t have all the answers.
So, why are you reading these words I’ve dared commit to the page? Because I know one answer for sure—and it’s the most important! God’s grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in weakness. If I rely on my strength, I’m scared to write because I have nothing valuable to share. So I pray. I ask God to speak through me, to use me as a willing vessel for His message. He works through me when I yield to Him.
Paul, the author of today’s verse struggled with “a thorn in the flesh,” an unnamed ailment that made him feel weak. He prayed the Lord would remove this from his life, but God didn’t; He taught Paul to rely on Him more fully because of his challenge.
As today’s verse shows, Paul knew what I’m still learning to put into practice: true strength comes when we submit ourselves to God, insufficiencies and all. When we’re willing to be honest about our weak places—even brag about them, we move out of the way and let Christ’s power do the work through us. Then He receives all the glory and honor He deserves.
Dawn Tolbertis a contributor to Wholly Loved MinistriesDaily Devotional, a Christ-follower who writes to honor God, thank Him for His goodness, and encourage readers by sharing her faith journey. She works in higher education public relations and is writing her first novel and her first book-length Bible study. She has earned a B.A. in Communication Studies and English (Gardner-Webb College), a M.A. in Professional Writing (Kennesaw State University), and an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership (Union University). She and her husband, Larry, live in Cedartown, Georgia, and serve actively in their church. Dawn blogs at dawntolbert.com.
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Originally published Thursday, 06 July 2023.
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