Friday, August 12, 2011

The Gift of Fragility

The gift of fragility~ I read these words in a devotional book by Sarah Young recently and found myself wanted to disagree.  How can fragility or weakness be a gift?  And who would want such a gift?!
Certainly no one wants to be weak or fragile, although we all are in some way or another.....so is it possible to look at our weaknesses as gifts?  It did not take me long to start to shift my mindset. Our weaknesses draw us closer to God when we learn we cannot do things on our own.  Our weaknesses keep us from becoming arrogant or from having the mindset that we can are doing just fine without God's help.  Our weaknesses bring us into a deep relationship with our Mountain-moving God.

Paul shared in 2 Corinthians 12 that he had asked God to remove the "thorn" he lived with 3 different times, but each time Jesus responded with, "My grace is sufficient for you.  My power works best in weakness."  Paul's weakness, his thorn, was never removed.  Instead God gave him the grace and strength to preach the good news, bringing the gospel to all he came in contact with in spite of his weakness.

God's power is within us, too, enabling us to live the life God has planned.  Paul spoke again in Ephesians 3 about God's power within us.  Ephesians 3: 16-19 says:

"Pray that from His glorious unlimited resources he will empower you
with inner strength through his Spirit. 
Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in him. 
Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. 
And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should,
how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is, 
May you experience the love of Christ thought it is great to understand fully. 
 Then you will be made complete
with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."

The power comes from God's love for and in us.   Philippians 4:13 (paraphrased) speaks more on this subject of strength.

"I can do all things through Christ
who continually pours His strength into me."

Weakness~ fragility~ maybe it is a gift.  A gift that brings us closer to God and His abiding love for us.  A gift that lets God work in and through us to His glory.  A gift that is beyond our understanding, but makes us complete.....weaknesses and all.


Please stop over and visit Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays to read more posts or link up your own. 
I am still unable to leave comments on several blogs..hope this gets resolved soon!

11 comments:

NanaNor's said...

Hi Renee, I love this post and although we all fight being frail, it is during those times we can see Him more clearly.
Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for sharing.
Hugs, Noreen

Vintagesouthernlife said...

It is so comforting to know that we can rely on His strength. The older I get the more I need this assurance.
Happy Spiritual Sunday.

Shannon said...

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I so needed this today!
Hugs,
Shannon

Nikki (Sarah) said...

it's true...our weakness shows up in becoming our strength. I'm finding that out.

Lynn said...

Hi, I'm Lynn. I loved this post for a very personal reason. I lost my hearing totally, suddenly at 39 when my children were 5, 10, 13. Late deafened adults straddle two worlds, fitting in neither easily. Late deafness is not a "weaknesses" per se but the hearing world rushes past you and leaves you alone when you don't hear or cannot understand speech and all the computer assisted devices today. After 13 years, I did have a cochlear implant which gave me back 50% of my life, one on one is like normal hearing, but I feel blessed because I had to depend just on HIM and I can truly say How Great Thou Art. Blessings.

Charlotte said...

I think no one wants to be weak and so the natural reaction is the one you initially had. I love the reason why it is a blessing to be weak.
BTW I just found out we can comment every day on the participating blogs for the Miracle Makeover so if you've already commented, I hope you will do so again.
Blessings,
Charlotte

Charlotte said...

I think of Paul's words..."when I am weak, then He is strong." It is nice to know that His work in our lives is not dependent in any way on our abilities, or strengths...but on Him alone.

Wonderful post.
Charlotte

Pamela said...

I agree with the quote. In a physical sense,my pain pushes me toward God more frequently. One of the greatest ways God helps in my fragile moments is knowing He hears my cries. Sometimes He lifts the pain, but sometimes He just holds me through it.

Eat To Live said...

Hi Renee,
Love the name of this blog, it fits me perfectly. I had to smile when I seen the name.

Great Post!

Jan Lyn said...

Beautiful Renee. I've heard quite a few after time of becoming fragile also give testimony to it being a gift. I'd have to say from my own experience, though there are a few symptoms I'd like to give back, on the whole this physical state has sharpened my beliefs and exercized my trust muscles to an extent I'd never had dreamed of. Yes, that part has definately been a gift. I think we keep looking for the surprises and God gifts each day!
Thank you for your sharing.
Jan Lyn

Unknown said...

Can't believe I found this post I read that devotion just now from Sarah Young. And was really confused and actually really upset me So I went online to find out what it meant and I found this thank God.