I was just thinking about how we humans view life and often feel that we just cannot go on. We acknowledge our weaknesses and view them as flaws that cannot be changed. But the Word of God tells us differently. The church at Corinth was composed of spiritually immature believers who struggled with living a Christ-like life. The apostle Paul gave his testimony to them as a means of encouragement. He wrote: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in my weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:9-10 NIV1984).
Spiritual Truths about Human Weaknesses
In the Scripture above, Paul pointed out a few, but there are definitely more. Here are some common weaknesses that affect us all, regardless of age:
• The inability to accept criticism or correction — This is an issue many face, whether it involves a teenager or an adult. No one likes to be wrong. As a result, no one likes to be criticized for the way they do something. Correction is so important when we come up short, but at the same time, it is so essential. When we repeatedly refuse correction, it becomes a terrible weakness.
• Anger and uncontrolled temper — This affects so many in our world today. When Christians display such in their character, unbelievers and other believers question the reason. There is a time to be angry, but it should not be displayed with an explosive temper. And anger should not last through the night. This weakness hinders the believers’ ability to forgive.
• Fearfulness and worry — These are also weaknesses that many possess. This hinders the believer from enjoying each day. Fretting over that which may never occur becomes a burden that then becomes a catalyst for worry. Almost every person who has been saved by the Lord comes to realize that worry is a weakness. Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matt. 6:25-27).
Learn to Identify and Correct Your Weaknesses
First, recognize and accept the fact that you have weaknesses. As we were often told in the army, “Know your enemy.” When believers fail to admit they have weaknesses, they will continue to battle the enemy, and that enemy is themselves.
If the weakness is overwhelming, get some guidance from a friend or pastor. There are those around you who have faced similar challenges to the ones you are facing. Their experience in dealing with those weaknesses can be valuable counsel.
Pay attention to those things you are good at. In other words, look for your strengths and, more so, put those strengths into action. They will enable you to combat that which drags you down or even hinders your Christian testimony.
Set goals and strive to accomplish them. An old adage says, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.”
