But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
Paul had a weakness; "a thorn in his flesh" (vs 7). The Bible doesn't say what it was. It could have been a speech impediment, a reoccurring sickness, a bad back...we don't know. The Lord allowed him to have this "weakness" so that He could be strong in Paul. It kept him from being prideful and reminded him to point others to Christ. Paul had many visions and revelations that could have set him up to build his own kingdom; as people would follow him and not the One who came.
Paul prayed for the Lord to take it from him but in the end he embraced it. "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10
For when he is weak in his body; then Christ shines and He receives all the glory.
We have to realize we are not enough for our husband's happiness. (Their happiness or anyone else's for that matter is not up to us.) We are not enough to keep our children from rebelling. (Their decision making is not a mirror image of our parenting.)
If we believe the lie that it is all up to us then we take God out of the equation of having the power to bring forth His plan in each life He creates.
Now, I'm not saying we give up on being a loving wife or teaching and disciplining our children. But if we feel we must control the outcome of someone else's situation we are harboring a very prideful nature in our heart.
The reality is, we will never be enough. If we were, we wouldn't need a Savior.
What feels like brokenness and failure at times is confirmation that we need Jesus!
He is our Lord. Our Redeemer. Our Father. Our Counselor.
He is perfect and He is made strong when we are weak. Hallelujah! Oh what a Savior!
I love you & He loves you more!
Lord, help me to gather in Your grace that You pour out on me. Heal me of my infirmities if it be Your will, but if not, may I boast the more gladly in my weakness so that Your power may rest on me. For when I am weak then You are made strong! May we see the light that You shine on our family when we walk in Your truth and grace. Amen.