Have a great weak
When is weakness really strength? It’s a great question. In the past, I’ve texted you and raved about your great gifts. We’ve seen how your talent can be honed into tremendous skill. Now, let’s take a look at the other side of human nature. The thing that keeps you grounded.
The world sees weakness in a very negative light. It certainly deserves some of its unpopular press. No one wants to feel, act or appear weak. Here’s the reality: we are all broken, we all have a weakness. If you look back through the tunnel of time, we see that some of history’s most gifted humans were tormented by weakness: Winston Churchill had a speech impediment, Van Gogh suffered from depression, Ernest Hemingway was an alcoholic. No one has been made perfect, without defect or blemish. Even the Apostle Paul wrestled with weakness.
In 2 Corinthians 4:7, Paul talks about his “thorn in the flesh”. While Paul never reveals what this thorn happens to be, he admits his weakness. He says God allowed this thorn in order to prevent him from being conceited or exalting himself. Paul then makes a pivotal statement in 2 Cor 4:10: “For when I am weak, then I am strong”.
Your particular weakness leaves you vulnerable and presents a choice. Give in to your weakness and the malady might get stronger, you might even become a slave to it. Acknowledge your weakness, address it head‐on, and you probably grow stronger and set an example for others. There’s a good chance you’ll minimize the effects or temptations associated with this vulnerability.
Let me give you an illustration: a man is an alcoholic. His choices: give in to the bottle and become a helpless slave to drinking or decide to give up alcohol entirely. It’s important to note: alcoholics don’t stop being vulnerable to the effects of alcohol just because they give it up. They carry that weakness with them forever. It’s coded into their DNA. It’s always out there, prowling around, looking for the opportunity to pounce. While that may sound daunting, the good news is, the more we resist our weakness, the easier it becomes to resist. Human weakness might include such things as chemical addiction, pornography, gambling, over-‐eating, cursing, vanity, uncontrollable rage, anxiety, abuse. This is just a partial list. You know yours.
Recognize that you’re not perfect. Your weakness doesn’t make you less of a person. You are simply human. A person is not defined by trying to hide their weakness.
Rather, a person becomes strong by acknowledging weakness, conceding that vulnerability exists, and becoming accountable to it. I have total confidence that you can turn your weakness into strength. There is great opportunity to build strength of character through imperfection. I’m proud of you! Love dad
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