Strength in Weakness

For whatever God says to us is full of living power: it is sharper than the sharpest dagger, cutting swift and deep into our innermost thoughts and desires with all their parts, exposing us for what we really are. He knows about everyone, everywhere. Everything about us is bare and wide open to the all-seeing eyes of our living God; nothing can be hidden from him to whom we must explain all that we have done.

But Jesus the Son of God is our High Priest who has gone to heaven itself to help us; therefore let us never stop trusting him. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, since he had the same temptations we do, though he never once gave way to them and sinned. So let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive his mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need. Hebrews 4: 12-16 (TLB)

Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite happy about "the thorn," and about insults and hardships, persecutions and difficulties; for when I am weak, then I am strong - the less I have, the more I depend on him.

2 Corinthians 12:10 (TLB)

Maria Montemayor lives in Ontario, Canada. In the past Maria would wake up some mornings with a feeling of dread. She thought about her failures, fears, and rejections. She wondered why she hadn't accomplished more by now and why she hadn't fulfilled her dreams. She felt she had not lived up to society's standards. Usually as the day went on, Maria would forget about these thoughts, but they would return another day.

Then she started incorporating prayer more consistently into her life. Whenever dread started surfacing in the morning, she would begin to pray. She started to realize that what she perceived as weaknesses - her fears, regrets, and dislikes - had molded her into a more humble, empathetic, and resilient person. Through prayer Maria began to recognize her identity and self-worth in Christ. She began to celebrate her small victories and stopped dwelling on her assumed failures.

Most important, Maria learned never to stop striving to be more like Christ. Her weaknesses have proven to her that she is human, but the grace of Christ enables her to change, grow, and improve. She believes that times of weaknesses, pain, and suffering can become sources of strength. Now Maria views her times of struggle as lessons and gifts, and she no longer wakes up with dread.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for being by our side through the challenges life brings, in Jesus' name. Amen.