“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
Day 4
God Weakens Our Dependence on Ourselves
Few prayers are as sincere as, “Lord, use me.”
Yet we are often surprised by God’s method.
Instead of immediately increasing our abilities, God frequently removes the very things we’ve depended upon.
Sometimes He removes resources.
Sometimes He removes certainty.
Sometimes He removes relationships.
Sometimes He removes positions.
Sometimes He removes our carefully constructed plans.
At first, these moments feel like setbacks. In reality, they are invitations.
God is gently loosening our grip on self-reliance so we can hold on to Him more completely.
The Apostle Paul understood this lesson better than most. He pleaded three times for God to remove his “thorn in the flesh.” Instead, God answered, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
Notice that God did not immediately eliminate Paul’s weakness. He transformed the purpose of it. Paul’s weakness became the platform upon which God’s strength was displayed.
We need to change our perspective about weakness if we are to live a life full of God’s power.
Questions to consider:
- What has God removed from you that you depended on?
- If you want to exchange your weakness for God’s power, what are you willing to let go of in order to live in the power of God?
Prayer: Lord, learning to live my life through Your power instead of relying on my own strength to make things happen can feel foreign, unfamiliar, and even frightening. Yet I know You are calling me to trust You more deeply. Help me remain vitally connected to You as I journey through this season of releasing my dependence on myself and increasing my dependence on You. When I am tempted to take control, remind me that Your strength is greater than mine, Your wisdom is higher than mine, and Your grace is sufficient for every step I must take. Teach me to rest in Your power, trust Your direction, and confidently follow where You lead. May my weakness become the place where Your strength is most clearly revealed. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
