Boasting in your Weakness

             We all hate our weaknesses and try to avoid them at all costs. For example, if you have a reading disability, you try to avoid reading in public. If you struggle with addiction, you try to sweep it under the rug. That addiction could be drugs, porn, TV, food, alcohol, etc. Our weaknesses tend to bring us shame. That’s exactly where the Devil wants us, to feel sorry for our short comings. It not only makes us hate ourselves, but it also brings jealousy and disdain toward others who have the gifts that we do not. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul writes about begging God to take away a temptation he cannot overcome. He was persistent as well, three times he begged. But God responded, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” In other words, God said, “Look Paul, I know you struggle and Satin is sending you those temptations because they pull you away from me. But you will come closer to me through this weakness.”

    God loves trust and faithfulness. God didn't see Paul’s sin as a “no” to God; rather, God saw Paul’s repentance as a greater “yes” to God. The way God teaches trust and faithfulness is through humility. Humility is not only admitting that we've messed up, but where we've messed up. When we do this, we take ownership of our shortcomings. But what does boasting about our weaknesses mean?

    Boasting in your weaknesses/difficulties is admitting your imperfections. It could be jealousy, pride, or facing an addiction. For example, with addiction, porn is a huge sin pulling us away from Christ. It is as addictive as heroin. It releases unnatural levels of dopamine (pleasure sensors) into your brain. Admitting your struggle of pornography (to the right people) helps create a bond where a relationship can form. Have you tried to snap a twig in half? Pretty easy, right? But it becomes harder the more twigs that are together. We are very similar. We need a community to strengthen us. And without us, that community is weakened. The stronger our community becomes, the more we can accomplish. Life isn’t about avoiding sin, it’s about turning toward Christ. And every step toward Christ is a step away from sin.