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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 1 Corinthians 12:2
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Hebrews 11:32-40
The ways in His Kingdom are not the ways of this world. Spiritual strength is through surrender to His Spirit. Following His leading and instruction in simple humble obedience. Real meekness is powerful strength under complete control of His Spirit. One of the Spirit’s fruit is meekness. Meekness does NOT equal physical weakness. Meekness is strength under His direction. I think the weaknesses listed in these scriptures are honestly accepted by the individuals who are submitted to Him, and through that surrender He is able to pour His strength and power through them.
Often our natural strengths are mixed with our own .. pride. This is where the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is needed…
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Romans 12:3
Granted all of our strengths were GIVEN to us by our Creator, for His purposes and our potential for Him. Our issue is listening too much to the enemy whisper complements to our egos of how great we are. Then we begin to compare our strengths to others — looking for even more confirmation of how great we are. And we have begun the slide down a slippery slope into .. pride …as Paul confirms here…
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 2 Corinthians 12:7
Paul wanted that thorn to be gone! He asked and asked. But as we know he did not get what he wanted, but accepted the Lord’s decision for him.
Have you accepted your weaknesses? Are you content with the Lord’s decision for your life? Whose strength are you relying on? Whose strength is flowing through you?