In my weakness He is strong (2 Corinthians 9:12)

What do Christians mean when we say "in my weakness He is strong"? Is it really biblical? And what does "strength made perfect in weakness" mean? Let's read a little deeper into the context of this highly quoted bible verse for encouragement: 2 Corinthians 12:9.

Context of 2 Corinthians 9:12

In 1 Corinthians, Paul had written a long letter to the Corinthian church who seemed to have turned to other teachers who are in opposition to Paul. After being able to mend some of the tensions through other letters and sending a representative (Timothy), Paul once again write to the Church, to rejoice in their change in minds and also to exhort them further. In this chapter, Paul is stating why he dislikes boasting in his earthly credentials. In verse 7, he alludes to a "thorn in the flesh" which he was still struggling with. He even pleaded with the Lord to remove it from him. And this forms the context of today's bible verse, the Lord's reply to Paul was this:

"And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

If we look at the bible verse as a reply to a believer's plea to be delivered of some burden, we may think that it isn't much of an encouragement anymore. God seemed to be saying, in other words: "Nope, I'm not going to remove this burden, I Am enough for you. And with Me, My strength will bring you through it. My strength is made perfect in your weakness.". It seemed like it meant that Paul had to continue to suffer through that thorn in his flesh.

Yet, as outsiders looking into the life of Paul, we take comfort in seeing Paul's reaction: "Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities...". Paul's revelation of who God is, is something that we aspire to gain by the Grace of God. And I pray that we can follow in his footsteps and see this Truth.

This is a wonderful bible verse for encouragement and hope, because it tackles the reality that there is suffering in the world. And even more true, everybody has their own suffering. And to that, God's comfort is not just to remove that suffering, He plans to take you through it. His strength is made perfect in weakness. If we are never in trouble, if we are always doing things within our abilities, where and when would we rely on God's strength? But no, God's sovereign will is that He wants to help us achieve new heights, not by our strength, but by His strength. And that is the beauty of the salvation of the Lord. Jesus did not just remove suffering from us, He went through that suffering. And in that, is a beautiful truth found in the words of Paul: we are seated at the Right Hand of God, in Christ Jesus. We are in Him! He is in the boat with us in the Storm!

We pray that we will all hold on to this bible verse as a strengthening word. Let us do as Paul did, boast in our weakness. How do we do that? By presenting our weakness before God and allow Him to work through us!