IN MY WEAKNESS, HE IS MY STRENGTH

I woke up this morning with the intention to publish a post, but had no clue what to write about. I don't want my blog to become a “have to” or a “check off the box.” I want this blog to be a way for God to use me to speak to others. That being said, I’ve been waiting to hear what He puts on my heart to share with y’all.

After turning off my alarm, the first thing I do in the morning is pull up my Bible app and read the verse of the day. I’ve loved getting into this habit because I want to fix my eyes on things above right when I wake up. Today’s verse is one of my all time favorites... 

2 Corinthians 12:9

New International Version

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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

New Living Translation

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.

English Standard Version

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.

I wrote out three different translations because I know sometimes a specific word hits home.

Automatically, this verse brought back a lot of memories. The first time I ever heard 2 Cor 12:9 I was at JH Ranch, with my dad Freshman year. At this point in my life, I was super fearful. Sharks, heights, deep water, change, public speaking…you name it, I was probably scared of it. At JH, there were a ton of ropes courses and obstacles that I did not want to do, but one of my goals that week was conquering some of my fears. One of the biggest attractions of the camp was the “Screaming Eagle.” The best way I can describe it is a harness that drops straight down from high up and then swings you back and forth for a while…also known as my dad and I's worst nightmare at the time. Yes, you heard that right, my dad was also terrified of this thing. He may look all big and tough, but he is human like the rest of us! 

That morning we were doing our “quiet time,” and 2 Cor 12:9 pops up. It hit me hard. My weakness was my fear, but God can use my weakness for His strength. The whole morning my tummy was turning and I felt like I was going to be sick, but I kept reminding myself “in my weakness, He is my strength.” 

All the way up to the top, and all the way to the bottom of the “Screaming Eagle” I repeated that verse. It got me through a big fear of mine that week and has become a life verse for me ever since. 

For most of y’all, I’m sure you would love all those “scary” activities at camp; they are supposed to be fun! However for me, they were terrifying challenges that forced me to get outside my comfort zone. As my dad always says, “greatness lies at the edge of uncomfortableness.” That is because there also lies growth and improvement.

This story might not seem like a lot to you now because it was just a silly fear of mine a couple of years ago, but I believe that the meaning behind this verse is far greater. 

We all have weaknesses. Plenty of them. Most of the time, we think that our weakness holds us back, but again and again, God proves that He can use our weakness for His benefit, because He is so powerful. 

If you don’t know much about the Bible, you might think that it is full of almost perfect people who rarely sin. OH HOW FALSE THAT IS! 

The Bible is full of examples of sinful people that God used to do incredible things! Peter was outspoken and unfaithful, John had a bad temper, David was an adulterer, and Thomas doubted Jesus. Yet all of these men were used for God’s glory. 

My point being, God can use anyone, anytime, anywhere. No matter how much you sin, or what specific sin you struggle with; God can use you.

I encourage you today to confess your weaknesses to the Lord and be vulnerable with Him about them. He wants to use you, all of you, but He also wants you to depend on Him.

In a devotional I read it said, "God can turn my weaknesses into strengths. The very things that bother, embarrass and humiliate me most can be used by God for His glory."

Believe it, trust Him, and never stop striving to grow.

As I go back to college in a couple of days, I hand over my weaknesses to God. My fear of the future, my want to control, my dependence on other people, and so many more. I pray He uses these weaknesses for His glory, and I pray that He will also use all of yours!

Always feel free to reach out!

With all my love, Delaney Dilfer :)

Picture of us on our way up to the top! ;)