When We Are Weak, What Happens?

Here in the UK, Covid restrictions are starting to ease, and it feels as though the end of the pandemic may soon be in sight.

As a result, I’m starting to receive invitations to speak in-person about my book, rather than just virtually – and one of these was for a mid-week evening event a couple of weeks ago. 

Imagine my surprise when, the night before I was due to speak, some new neighbours to the back of the house decided to throw a (rather loud) garden party, which went on until after 4am in the morning! I honestly couldn’t believe it!

It is currently winter in the UK, which means it’s cold outside, especially at night. So why did they throw a party? In their garden? On a random mid-week date? And why did they blatantly ignore my, and my neighbours, pleas to pipe down and take it indoors?

It felt profoundly spiritual – and I had an inexplicable sense that God had good things in store for the evening event, for the Enemy to be so determined to disrupt my sleep! 

However, waking up after only three hours’ sleep, I also wondered how I was going to get through that day at work, and still have enough stamina to speak in the evening. So I did what I always do. I prayed, I gave it to God, and I asked him to help me. 

As I did so, I felt him gently saying, “When you are weak, I am strong.” 

Immediately, I felt assured that, somehow, he would help me get through that day and evening. All I had to do was put my hand in his, and trust him to strengthen and sustain me.

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In the Bible, in 2 Corinthians 12:9-11, speaking of Christ, the apostle Paul says this:

“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.” 

How many of us need to hear this message? 

• It is when we are weak that God’s grace is sufficient. 
• It is when we are weak that his power is made perfect. 
• It is when we are weak that Christ’s power rests on us. 
• It is when we are weak that, for Christ’s sake, we can delight in our weakness. 
• It is when we are weak that Christ becomes our strength. 
• It is when we are weak that he is strong. 

Suffice to say, I made it through my working day that day. I also made it through the speaking event that evening – where God gave me grace, and showed up in power! (Feel free to ask me more if you’re interested.) 

All I know is that it happened, not despite my sleep deprivation, but because of it. It was because I was tired, weak and dependent on him for his strength, that he showed up in power. For when I was weak, he was strong. 

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It might not be sleep deprivation for you, but what makes you feel weak? In what situations do you need God to take your weaknesses, and give you his strength?

Have you ever had a time when you were feeling weak, and God gave you his grace, power and strength? If so, what happened?

It would be lovely to hear your stories and reflections in the comments below, if you have them.

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Also, this is February’s ‘thought for the month’, but you can read all my ‘thought for the month’ archives here.

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Image from truthseeker08 via Pixabay.