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Attitudes, Absences, and Aspirations

Day 28: Personal Weaknesses and Struggles
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10; Psalm 73:21-28; Hebrews 4:14-16

We all have weaknesses, areas where we fall short, struggle, or feel inadequate, and work to hide them. But God invites us to bring them into His presence; He already knows about every struggle or weakness we will ever have. Instead of being ashamed of our struggles, we are called to lean on Him, allowing His strength to shine through our weaknesses.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul records God's response to his plea for relief from a persistent struggle: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Rather than removing Paul's hardship, God reassured him that His grace was enough. Paul's response? "I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me." Our struggles remind us of our need for God's strength, and when we rely on Him, He works through us in ways we never imagined.

Asaph, a singer in King David's Court, wrote in Psalm 73 that the Lord is our strength, and our weaknesses are not disqualifying. Our weaknesses reveal our need for the Almighty God, the maker of Heaven and Earth, who never fails, to move on our behalf. When we acknowledge our frailty, we create space for God to work in and through us.

Jesus came to Earth not only to forgive our sins as the High Priest and sacrifice for all mankind, but to live life as a human and understand our weaknesses. He had the same struggles yet did not sin. Because of Him, we can approach the throne of grace to "receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." We are never alone in our struggles; Jesus walks with us.

If we withhold our struggles and weaknesses, we deal with them alone. It is exhausting. While we withhold, we also keep Christ from being the King over our shortcomings. When we give Him our flaws and struggles, we will find His strength being made perfect in our weaknesses. Take a moment and reflect on what you do with your weaknesses, struggles, and sins. Do you give those temptations and difficulties to God? What could God accomplish through your weaknesses? Do you think it's time for a change in the leadership in that area? Let's ask the Lord for help in prayer.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I bring my weaknesses and struggles before you. I acknowledge that I cannot do this alone, but I thank you for your grace, which is sufficient for me. Help me to rely on your strength rather than my own. Teach me to trust your power, knowing you work despite my weaknesses. I take comfort in knowing that Jesus understands my struggles and intercedes for me. It is in the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.