It's been one of those weeks. Yes, a weak week! As I've recently drawn closer to my Savior, He's been showing unto me so many of my weaknesses. Some of these include; my impatience, my lack of charity towards others, and beating myself up for things long past. For this reason, I would like to share some of my thoughts with you on weakness.
As we go throughout life God has a way of "show[
ing] unto [
us] [
our]
weakness[
es]" (Ether 12:27, moderately changed and emphasis added). It's a very true principle behind the doctrine "becoming like God." Part of this same verse in Ether 12 we read that these
weaknesses come as a result of us "coming unto [Him]" (by Him, we mean our Savior). The equation: we come unto Christ = He shows unto us our weaknesses. The interesting part of the next sentence though, is that God gives "unto men weakness that they may be humble." Humility and weakness are so very much connected. Let me explain...
Paul in the New Testament gives us very good insights when it comes to weakness. As found in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, we read:
"
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
What a beautiful testimony by the apostle Paul. This man, a person who once fought against Christ, now converted, understands the power behind weakness. He understands that weakness brings humility, and humility brings the power of God into ones life. Let me define humility. Humility by definition is, "Recognizing gratefully our dependence on the Lord—to
understand that we have constant need for His support. Humility is also an
acknowledgment that our talents and abilities are gifts from God. Humility is
not a sign of weakness, timidity, or fear; it is an indication that we
know where our true strength lies. We can be both humble and fearless.
We can be both humble and courageous" (LDS.org, topic Humility, emphasis added).
There you have it! Humility helps us remember why we are who we are, and to know that all that we have comes from God. When we know this, and have developed an attitude of humility, we can then greater appreciate the "thorns in our flesh" or in other words "our weaknesses." Having this knowledge, we can then see why Paul glories in his infirmities, reproaches, necessities, and persecutions. He glories in them because those weaknesses bring the power of God into his life, and with such power is Gods strength made perfect. Power comes from weakness that has humbly been recognized, and has obediently been transformed into a strength. Please, remember that for me.
Remember, remember that you will not be weak forever. Becoming perfect is a process, a process in which weak material is made into strong material. Take a moment and think about the creation of the world. God took all kinds of imperfect (weak) matter, and created this beautiful world out of it, and He'll do the same with you, but you have to let Him in. "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20). Open the door of your heart, will you? Let Him come in and remodel your home; let Him do what no other can, and let Him, through your weaknesses, make you strong.
I love you all! Don't give up!
2 Corinthians 4:16-17
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
2 Corinthians 5:17-18
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.
Daniel
