Many people see their weaknesses as something that hinder them from finding their life’s success. They think to themselves, “I can’t be successful because of this or that. I am miserable because of this or that.” But the reality is that most successful people are people who have learned to use their weaknesses as an opportunity to move forward and challenge themselves to grow!
Napoleon Bonaparte, a French military and political leader who rose to prominence during the latter parts of the French Revolution, was known as one of the greatest military commanders. He led his army in impossible wars but with his military genius, he always found ways to victory. His military strategies are still studied by military academies to this day.
Yet, Napoleon was a short man who suffered from epilepsy for all his life. While in the military academy, he consistently found himself in 42nd place out of 51 students. Napoleon was teased by other students! He never learned to spell properly. But this lead him to become a voracious reader; he became a life time learner due to his weakness.
Russian novelist, Tolstoy suffered from STDs throughout his life due to his immoral living before accepting Jesus as his Lord! But out of his sufferings and regrets for the life he lived and sicknesses he dealt with, emerges his masterpiece, Crime and Punishment!
Abraham, lied twice to save his own life by ‘selling’ his wife to Pharaoh. He lacked ‘manly’ disposition to protect his beloved wife. But God used this man’s weakness in order to lift him up to become the father of faith!
Moses had anger management issues. He had fits of rage now and then. One day he saw a fellow Hebrew man arguing with an Egyptian man. Moses went over and killed the Egyptian man because of his uncontrolled anger. After receiving the Ten Commandments on top of Mt. Sinai, Moses came down the mountain and saw the Israelites dancing and worshipping an idol. Moses burned with anger and he shattered the plates of rock on which the Ten Commandments were written! On a different occasion, God told Moses to speak to a rock so water would gush out of it. But again, Moses was so angry at the complaining attitude of the Israelites, he ended up striking the rock instead. Nevertheless, God used him and at the end, called him the ‘meekest man on earth.’
Should we try one more? Let us consider King David who was a “man after God’s heart’. He forcefully took Bathsheba, wife of one of his most royal subjects, Uriah. And when he could not hide his sin of adultery, he asked another commander to put Uriah in the frontline of a fierce battle to deliberately kill him. David would carry this sin with him to his bed. Imagine the countless sleepless nights as he cried over his own wickedness! But out of his defeat and weaknesses of life, emerged a life of repentance and humility; his heart and soul healed by God, from which erupts songs and poems of praise and worship unto the Lord.
Our weaknesses should not deter us from moving forward! When we give our weaknesses to the Lord, God can turn them into jewels! Our weaknesses are what God uses to empower us to make a difference in others. God uses people who are not haughty or prideful, rather he enables those who are humble and acknowledge their need of God.
Paul says in 2 Corinthians 2:9 | 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.
As we close 2012, let us acknowledge our weaknesses before the Lord and declare, “God, your grace is enough! May your power rest upon me!” Perhaps Christmas is God’s way of saying, “My grace is sufficient for you.” Perhaps Christmas is God’s way of saying, that’s why Jesus came so that grace can be poured over you! Do not worry about your weaknesses, focus on Jesus and let his power rest over you this season!
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