Feeling the Weight of Weakness - The Crosswalk Devotional - April 12
The Crosswalk Devotional
Audio By Carbonatix
By Keri Eichberger, Crosswalk.com
Feeling the Weight of Weakness
By Keri Eichberger
Bible Reading:
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. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
I feel so weak today. And I can’t tell you how often I’ve journaled those exact words. I hate it, though. There’s so much in my mind and heart to be done. But lately, my body can’t seem to measure up to the expectations of my soul, which has instigated a spiral of exhaustion and defeat. I want to move and need to move—I think. But my lack of motivation and the dwindling of my energy is almost nauseating—a swelling sadness from disappointment that I can’t seem to rise to the occasion.
How often do you feel weak? Or are you feeling it today, too? If you’re burned out from working too hard, exhausted from emotional overload, worn down from stress, or waiting for a change of circumstances. Whether it’s physical, emotional, mental, or even spiritual, an array of elements can drain us into debilitation.
And what do you suppose God thinks about this? About the weakness we feel or are consumed by? I wondered that this morning, while contemplating my struggle for strength, I asked if he looked down on me like a coach from the sidelines when a player falls. Yelling, “Get up, you can do it! I’ve trained you for this. You can rest when the game is over. There’s help all around you.” Or, on the flip side, he could say, “You need to come out of the game. It’s time to rest. I’ve got this.”
Honestly, sometimes I don’t know what it is or what I should do, whether to lie down or gather myself and go.
Well, what if it’s okay either way? What if the coach would love and adore you no matter what? What if you fell, and he said, “Listen, you can stand up and get back in the game or sit on the bench as long as you need. Either way, I’m right beside you. Either way, I’m always cheering you on, your biggest fan, and I am here to help you. Regardless, we will get the win. The outcome will be good.”
It occurred to me that this is exactly what God thinks about my lack of motivation and energy. And yours, too. If we need to rest, we should. If we have the prompting to take specific steps forward, we should do that. No matter what we do or choose, God is with us, still loving us just the same, still loving us just as much. Regardless.
This truth offers me so much relief, and I desperately need to remember it. Especially when I feel the weight of weakness or even worry about my weakness. And if that’s you too if you feel weak and more weighed down by worry. Worry about the implications of your weakness. Worry about letting the world down or of letting God down—you can let that go. The world will keep moving. God keeps moving. And truly, only God’s opinion matters. And his acceptance of you is unconditional.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
2 Corinthians 12:9 says that God’s grace is sufficient and that his power is made perfect in our weakness. When we are weak, he sufficiently supplies for us. Whether it is rest or a pep in our step, he determines what we need; it is perfect. He is perfect in our weakness.
So today, whether you need to rest or feel ready to move forward, whatever you prayerfully decide… It’s okay. God always supplies sufficiently. He has control of everything, and he loves you more than anything. I pray that knowing these truths and soaking in these truths will free a slight burden from your soul today. Empowering you to move forward in joy and grace or rest in peace and refreshing stillness with the Lord. The Lord who loves you… no matter what.
Further Reading:
4 Things to Remember When We Are Spiritually Weak
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/fizkes
Keri Eichberger is a Jesus-loving Kentucky girl. She is married to her best friend, Mike, and has a full house of five kids. After years of writing for an online audience, Keri became ordained through Southeast Christian Church, giving her life to full-time ministry. She is the author of Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes, and has a passion for sharing faith-filled encouragement through devotional writing. Connect with Keri at KeriEichberger.com or Instagram.
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com!
Listen to the Jesus Calling Podcast!
Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone, and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
