Pity me, O Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, for my body is sick, and I am upset and disturbed. My mind is filled with apprehension and with gloom.
Oh, restore me soon. Psalm 6:2-3 Living Bible
Chronic Fatigue is annoying. I find myself praying like this in every possible way. Repeatedly. Demandingly. Insistently.
But, what if I’m looking at it wrong?
The Apostle Paul had had amazing, indescribable visions. Such experiences might make him proud, but pride would make him unusable. So God let him have what he called a “thorn in the flesh” (some think it was impaired vision. No one knows for sure).
Paul saw it as an obstacle. He petitioned for its removal. That didn’t happen.
Three different times I begged God to make me well again.
Each time he said, “No. But I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people.” Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am; I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ’s power, instead of showing off my own power and abilities. Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite happy about “the thorn,” and about insults and hardships, persecutions and difficulties; for when I am weak, then I am strong—the less I have, the more I depend on him. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 Living Bible
No one enjoys feeling weak,
whether it is emotionally, spiritually or physically.
There is something within the human spirit that wants
to resist the thought of weakness.
Many times this is nothing more than our human pride at work.
Just as weakness carries a great potential for strength,
pride carries an equally great potential for defeat.
Charles Stanley
I see that. I do. But I am not, and could never be, Paul. And I don’t boast about my weakness: I whine. But I can learn. I have to learn. I am learning. There is really no other path forward.
“Remember, it is not your weakness that will get in the way of
God’s working through you, but your delusions of strength.
His strength is made perfect in our weakness!
Point to His strength by being willing to admit your weakness.”
Paul David Tripp, Pastor
(BTW, I didn’t write this post. It came together much too easily. I just took dictation through God’s power. Thank You, Lord! PR)