Christian Writers Circle

Power Perfected in Weakness
by Brenda D. Flowers

During this past year from March, 2020-March, 2021, we all experienced new and very challenging circumstances in our world. We had to navigate uncharted territory. It hasn’t been easy facing the unknown.

We needed strength to persevere.

For many years, I have journaled. I love writing my ideas, creative thoughts, and special memories. I enjoy keeping prayer journals, too, where I record my prayers and the answers I receive from the Lord.

But this past year, my journaling was different.

God encouraged me to express my honest questions and struggles…to be real with Him.

This is what Paul did as recorded in 2 Corinthians 12: 8-10 (NKJV):   

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me
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.   
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

My Prayer Journal this year was a safe place where I recorded my prayers and what God was teaching me through difficult circumstances and times of waiting. It was also a place where I listed the ways God met my needs and blessed me.

I daily expressed my heartfelt thanksgiving in a special section of the journal.

When I am willing to honestly write down my struggles or questions, giving them to God in prayer, I discover the truth of God’s leading. He provides comfort and answers in the scriptures.

I am impressed by the timeliness of God’s words to me.

 He prepares me to face today’s challenges by His guidance.

In the natural or physical realm, we often gain power by what we do. For example, when we exercise, we strengthen our physical bodies and build our stamina. We grow in the ability to tackle physical challenges through discipline and exercise, gaining power in our physical bodies to accomplish greater feats. Exercising our bodies improves our physical strength.

Daily spending time in honest communication with God is key for building the strength or power to overcome. As I am willing to humbly express my weaknesses, casting them on Him in the pages of my prayer journal, I grow spiritually.

Recently, I asked this question, “What have I learned this past year through the difficult circumstances I experienced and what have You taught me, Lord?”

He showed me… I learned to depend more and more on Him each day and not on myself. I  learned when I am weak, He gives me strength. These are not just words I read in the scriptures, but they are words I experienced. God gives me power to carry on with joy in my heart. He is transforming me to be more like Christ.

Prayer:  Thank You, Lord, for Your strength as we trust You with our weaknesses. Amen