“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.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)
The apostle Paul was given a “thorn in the flesh.” Some scholars believe it had to do with his eyesight. Whatever the case, Paul prayed that God would take it away. However, God did not take it away. Why? God had allowed Paul to see amazing visions and revelations (vs. 2)—definitely something to boast about! Yet God says to Paul, “My power works best in weakness.”
Paul was not complaining after that. Instead, he said he is glad when he is weak, insulted, going through hardships, persecutions, and troubles. Even when suffering for Christ, he can say this because it was not his own strength, but Christ’s strength in him. Although we can’t boast about things like Paul, there are times when we can find ourselves in “boasting mode”—not realizing that it is God who helps us.
When I became a follower of Jesus, I knew that someday I would have to share my testimony with people. I was painfully shy. Well, God sure had a sense of humor when He called me and showed that He is able to use even me, this shy girl.
Yet I needed to be willing to be used for God. So, I surrendered my shyness over to God and was willing to speak and share my testimony to many people about how He has forgiven me and given me new life in Him. To the world’s standards I was weak to start with, but He saw His child willing to step out of her comfort zone to share about Him. Now He has also given me opportunities to teach the Bible! What greater way to be used by Him—by His strength and marvelous grace!
– Myrna Kopf
Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.
Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org