Flawed By Design

We think of weakness and strength as opposites. To be strong is good and means to be without weakness. To be weak is bad and means to be without strength. Most of us want to be thought of as strong. We are concerned that people won’t think highly enough of us if we show our weakness.

What if I told you this mindset is the furthest thing from the truth? Paul was seemingly a strong man with a fruitful ministry. His ineffable visions of heaven strengthened him to endure much hardship and motivated his extraordinary labor for the gospel. He had seen the glories of where he was headed and could say, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). But Paul did not boast in the details of his visions. He refused to boast in his strength, but boasted only in his weakness. Paul wanted people to think highly of Christ alone—to see his power.

Embracing Weakness

Paul embraced suffering. His inability to rid himself of the “thorn” (whatever it was) or avoid difficult circumstances showcased God’s power working in and through him. Paul preached the gospel, but God was doing the work of saving sinners and building churches. It was God who was strong.

As a Christian, one day Paul’s ineffable vision will be our life. We will rejoice as the strong, gentle hand of our Savior removes every thorn and wipes every tear away. For today, be strong by contenting yourself with weakness for the sake of Christ. Weakness and strength are not opposites but two sides of the same coin. When we are weak, then we are strong (2 Cor. 12:10)