The gateway to supernatural strength requires a degree of human weakness. I know that might not sound exciting but stick with me for a few minutes!  I feel like a lot of us see any kind of weakness as something negative and uncomfortable.  Especially in our particular stream of church culture; when weakness is mentioned it can carry negative vibes with it.  After all, we are the “power people” we are those that believe all things are possible through a powerful God who empowers us to bring His Kingdom here.

And all things are possible; He does empower us.  I’m not talking about powerlessness.

 What if I told you that it was impossible to bring His Kingdom in power, lacking nothing without passing through the gateway of human weakness?  Paul writes

^“ but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (AMP)

“…“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…” .2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)

“Perfect” means fulfilled, accomplished, completed, and finished. It’s the same term Jesus spoke as His final word on the cross; tetelestai which means, “It is finished” (John 19:30).

The strength of God comes to us via the gateway of human weakness.  We hate to appear weak, right?  We are uncomfortable with weakness and will do whatever it takes to avoid it.  After my sister had her first baby she signed up for a cardio class and asked me to attend it with her.  To be honest, I felt this cardio class was going to be a piece of cake for me (see my humility hereJ) seeing that I was already working out on a consistent basis.  But to offer my support, I told her I would go with her.  It was the first class and not ten minutes into the work out I thought I was going to die!  I couldn’t breathe, my heart was pounding at a speed at which I had never experienced.  As I glanced over the room and saw ladies in there twice my age along with my post-partum sister all having no trouble keeping up with the pace; I became embarrassed over my obvious inability to do the work out.  I quickly ran out of the room in a mad dash to the ladies room, stumbled inside and leaned up against the wall as I slid onto the floor trying to not pass out!  After several minutes my sister came in the bathroom looking for me.  I told her I couldn’t do it but gave her specific instructions to TELL NO ONE.  I made plans to sneak out to my car, telling my sister to let everyone know that something came up and I had to leave; but to NOT tell them I couldn’t do the work-out! And I never went back again 🙂

We set our lives up to AVOID weakness.  We do everything we can to escape it, control it, whatever we must do to keep it from happening to us.  Why? Because we hate appearing weak.  In order for us to operate in the “it is finished” and “lacking nothing” realm, we must move into releasing our weakness to Him.  Because it’s in that place where He will perfect it.  What does that look like? Paul had the revelation of being able to delight in His weakness. Be happy about weakness?

I see it as delighting that our weakness, once it’s placed in God’s hands, becomes supernatural strength for us.

But why do we even have to experience weakness at all?

In Mark 4:17 it says:

“and they have no real root in themselves, so they endure only for a little while; then, when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately they [are offended and displeased at being associated with Me and] stumble and fall away.” (AMP)

The word spoken over our lives will actually attract trials – because of the word. If there is no root system or real anchor within us, troubles and trials will only serve to trip us up and cause offense to fester within us. Offense left unchecked leads to a stronghold of bitterness. But we are given the privilege of choosing to place weakness and trials in His hands, knowing those things released to Him are transformed into strength within us.  God always gives upgrade!  So how do we start?

Here are five steps to hop on the fast track to living a life of supernatural strength and empowerment:

• Stand still! Stop avoiding and trying to escape weakness.
• Humble yourself and release weakness to Him.
• Practice accountability.
• Confide in someone you trust, a person that sees the gold within you and is dedicated to seeing God’s best unfold in your life.
• Do something (even if it’s a small thing) that challenges you; do something that doesn’t always come easy for you.

In the middle of our mess, if we hand over our place of weakness and setback to Him, He will turn it into our greatest strength. Let it be the thing that He receives the most glory for in our lives. Wherever we have experienced weakness, it’s an invitation for our future testimony.

Declare:  When I embrace what God has said in His WORD, I respond to weakness as a son or daughter who walks in great authority. I believe that as I allow my heart to be influenced by breakthrough, disappointment stays far from me.  He is turning my weakness into strength and my disappointment into opportunity.