Finding Strength in the Midst of Weakness

The desperate text to my husband went like this: “I hide in the bedroom with the door locked and they come pound on it like madmen. I send them outside and they come back in crying, covered in mud from head to toe. I tell them to play in their bedroom and the entire room is shortly dismantled and crayonated (yes, new word!) with toys strewn everywhere. They go play upstairs and someone gets hurt on the bike and my exercise equipment is spread out. They fight over lunch and ask for snacks 15 times a day. I tell them to quiet down so they open up the piano and start pounding. I’m gonna lose it!! I’m going certifiably insane.”

I am living a horror film. 

​Like Super Glue on a shattered decoration, I glom on to any Scripture about strength. It’s totally my thing. I love when verses apply so directly to fitness, but this one smacked me upside the head this week for another reason. I felt so incredibly weak. 

​“So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh…to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time He said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (1 Cor. 12: 7-10)

My boys were overtaking me. They were more than I could physically and emotionally handle. Give me a gnarly workout any day, but this?! This is a whole ‘nother ballgame. I am just plain weak when it comes to these guys. And my weakness either looks like yelling, irrationally punishing, or complete avoidance in the fetal position somewhere void of noise pollution. (If only…)

My boys are not my thorn in the flesh, and I have not begged the Lord to take them away (well, not that I’m openly admitting). But this is a hardship, and these are troubles that I suffer. This is just the nature of parenthood. It’s downright hard.

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”

So when I am here, completely flattened and weaker than I could ever imagine, that’s when God says “YES! And now I can show you My power! It works best like this. Step aside.”

And then this happens…

God gives me HIS grace, to see my boys how He sees them.

God gives me HIS patience, so I don't rush into discipline and my blood doesn't boil.

God gives me HIS peace, to feel a sense of calm in the midst of the chaos.

God gives me HIS love, to share with these boys, who need their mother to love them like He loves them.

Just like Paul says up above, I will boast in my weaknesses, my failures and my imperfections. Because that is when Christ can be on display, doing what He does best.

​How do you feel weak today? How are you feeling like a failure? In what ways are you feeling overwhelmed with troubles, hardships and insults? You may need to admit defeat and let God’s power go to work for you. He might not fix your problems, but He will definitely give you the tools to handle it.

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

These two! Certainly giving me a run for my money. Jesus, help me!