Quiet Fire Devotional | It's Okay to Be Weak

Herbert Berkley
Jul 10
2 min read

It's Okay to Be Weak: How God Uses Our Weakness for His Glory

"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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." — 2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV

1. Weakness is Not Failure

In a culture obsessed with strength and independence, weakness feels shameful, something we instinctively hide. Yet, Scripture provides a profoundly different perspective:

Paul openly admitted his weaknesses.
Jesus experienced profound anguish and vulnerability before His crucifixion.

Weakness doesn't diminish your value—it positions you precisely where God's grace is strongest.

2. Paul: Embracing Weakness Openly

Paul didn’t just tolerate weakness—he embraced it. He understood the spiritual paradox:

"For when I am weak, then I am strong." — 2 Corinthians 12:10, ESV

Paul knew something crucial: admitting weakness invites God's strength. He didn't shy away; instead, he openly confessed his struggles, trials, and limitations. Paul didn’t hide; he boasted—not in himself, but in how powerfully God worked through his weakness.

3. Jesus: Fully Human, Deeply Weak

Before the cross, Jesus felt overwhelming weakness. In the garden of Gethsemane, He prayed earnestly:

"Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." — Luke 22:42, ESV

Jesus modeled perfect humility and honesty in weakness. His vulnerability wasn't defeat—it was surrender. And from that surrendered weakness, eternal victory emerged.

4. Weakness is God's Math

God’s way often defies our understanding. Human logic says weakness equals failure, yet divine wisdom declares:

Weakness = Opportunity for God’s Strength.
Vulnerability = Platform for God's Glory.
Humility = Gateway to Divine Empowerment.

This is God’s math: your confessed weakness plus God’s strength equals spiritual power and effective ministry.

5. What Does This Really Look Like?

Real-life weakness can look like:

Admitting you're overwhelmed.
Acknowledging your limits openly and honestly.
Praying deeply in times of anxiety rather than pretending to be fine.
Allowing others to support you, rather than isolating yourself.

This authentic vulnerability invites God’s transformative presence. It's okay to be weak, because your weakness is precisely where God's strength shines brightest.

Closing Reflection

Have you felt ashamed of your weakness, thinking you needed to hide it from others?
Are you willing to openly confess your vulnerabilities and let God’s strength show clearly in your life?
Can you trust that your weakness does not disqualify you—but rather, uniquely qualifies you to experience God's grace?

It's not your strength God wants; it’s your heart fully surrendered in your weakness.