“God, are You annoyed by my wavering? Fed up with my struggling? Do You tire of my wrestling the same beast over and over, never getting full victory? Do You shake your head at my weakness?”
This conversation with God comes and goes along our journey. We ourselves become jaded with an ongoing battle or shortcoming. And then wonder if God too grows weary. Is He tired of us bringing our issues to Him? Does He roll His eyes when we come to ask, for the umpteenth time, for His strength to do battle? Or for forgiveness for another fail?
To some, weakness comes in the form of an addiction we fight to eradicate. To others, a fear that stalls us in our spiritual growth and side tracks us from a calling on our life. Maybe we suffer from a physical obstacle or emotional instability. Or a soft spot in our faith that casts dark shadows of doubt. We stand strong in some situations but are vulnerable in others.
Does God tire of us and our issues? Is He too holy, too set apart, to have compassionate understanding for our weaknesses?
We need to hear God’s response to these questions. He answers with strong reassurances in black and white, in His Word.
“I love you with an unconditional love. That is, I love you before you meet any conditions. Nothing you do causes Me to love you either more or less. You don’t earn My love by fulfilling a pre-determined set of conditions. I am not a God who says, ’Get rid of that issue, that imperfection, and then I will love you’. I love you not because of what you are or do, but because of who I am. (1 John 4:9-10).
I know that your spirit is willing, but your flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:41) I created you knowing full well you would be vulnerable in this. I knew before you were born what you would wrestle with in your flesh. And yet I did not remove this stumbling block from your life.
Why do I not remove this frailty in you? Because, “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.” The Message (2 Corinthians 12:9)
I do not take away your battle making life easier for you, so you live pain-free and without struggle. But, I come alongside to help you bear up, supplying perseverance and strength. And I demonstrate My sufficient grace, continually available to you, in all things you experience. As my child, you cannot shame My grace away. You cannot un-deserve My grace. You cannot wrestle enough to wiggle out from under My grace.
My Spirit within you will help you. (Romans 8:26) I give strength when you are weary and increase power when you are weak. (Isaiah 40:29) My power is manifest (most evident and understood), when you are uncertain, fragile and shaky. Like Paul, you learn to delight in My power that rests upon you in your weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:10)
Yes, I see the thorn in your flesh that makes life hard. I know your weakness. Lean into Me. I’ve got you. I hem you in behind and before and My hand is upon you. (Psalm 139:5) Open yourself to My presence in each moment, and receive My sufficient grace and My power to continue on into the blessed life I have for you. I am your Heavenly Father. And, (insert your name), I love you, forever.”
[Just a reminder that as you read these posts on the website, if you hover the cursor over a scripture reference, the scripture will pop up]
Photo by Olivia Snow on Unsplash
