My previous column discussed the joy of laughter and my love of it. I also mentioned a knee replacement. Good news: That went so well that I decided to have the other one done at the end of June! 

Again, all is well, as I am learning to walk with two straight legs. (I still can walk more like a drunken sailor those first steps, but I am stable and progressing well. Thanks for the prayers.) The challenges of this year have forced me to be more aware of strengths and weaknesses. This column is about finding strength in weakness.

God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. In 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, Paul asked Jesus to remove a thorn. Instead of removing the thorn, Jesus pointed Paul to Himself. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 

We often want to distance ourselves from our weaknesses. However, in our attempt to be self-sufficient, we prevent ourselves from witnessing God’s power in our lives. God gives us the grace to withstand instead of removing the hardship. 

When we experience challenging times, it’s good to look to Christ’s teachings. One of the joys of my knee adventures is that I stayed at the Mother Angeline McCrory Manor in Columbus. There I had 24-hour access to the chapel. What would be more beneficial is lifting our eyes to our Triune God and receiving Him in daily communion. Conversations with the sisters were bonuses!

God does not get weak as we do, and He never gets weary. His thoughts are so much higher than ours; we can search and never come to the end of His understanding. He gives power to us who are fainting; He gives strength to us who lack power. 

When we are weak, He is strong. We are all frail and needy. However, we serve a God Who is not dependent on our abilities. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. When we trust in Him, He generously provides all that we need. 

I believe that God gives us what we need, not what we want. That is the main reason that I quit praying for myself. Thank God I know many of you pray for me! My father would say you cannot fail if you learn something. He also said that God gives you challenges and gives us opportunities to learn.

Through Christ, we can do all things! God doesn’t ask us to do anything that He will not empower us to do by His Spirit. 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

One thing we lose sight of when we are experiencing challenging moments is God’s love. If you find yourself in a difficult time, and all you see is your lack of strength and inability to keep walking, God is calling you into His power. This just might be your opportunity to see His might on display in your life. 

We are all frail and needy; however, we serve a God Who is all powerful. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and He graciously and generously provides all that we need. We should boast about our weaknesses, for when we are weak, He is strong.

Because God’s “power is made perfect in weakness,” we can have hope when we can’t meet our needs on our own. 

God, I want my life to display Your power, even in weakness. Help me to depend more on You each day and to feel Your strength when I struggle.