TRANSFORMED IN MY PHYSICAL HEALTH
by Rick Warren
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor 12:9
We all have weaknesses. Paul uses a great metaphor to remind us how fragile we are, "[We] have this treasure [of the gospel] in jars of clay" (2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV). Like clay jars, we crack under pressure, experience brokenness, and sometimes fail completely. Unbelievably, there are benefits to weakness.
You know Paul's story. He had a persistent, perplexing problem. He asked God three times to take away his pain. Yet God refused, whispering, "My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak" (2 Corinthians 12:9 GN).
So, here are three promises to keep in mind about weaknesses:
First, God's power is present in your weakness. Don't repeatedly resist or resent your limitations. Paul became the church's greatest scholar and missionary while experiencing his challenges.
Second, God works through weakness to accomplish his task. Let physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual weaknesses become part of God's providential plan for your life. Some speculate that Paul's letters may never have been written if he was not doubly limited, both physically challenged and incarcerated.
And finally, God allows limitations to become blessings in disguise. Paul goes on to say, "For when I am weak, then I am strong-the less I have, the more I depend upon him" (2 Corinthians 12:10 LBT). Paul might never have become a great communicator of the gospel if he had been distracted by other things. His physical pain made him fully dependent on God.
Discussion Questions:
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Can you share an example of God's grace overcoming one of your weaknesses in the workplace?
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How has one of your limitations proven to be a blessing in disguise?
- Will you think of problems or weaknesses in the future as an opportunity to call upon God?
