“If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness” (2 Corinthians 11:30).
Paul’s statement to the believers in Corinth sounds so counter-intuitive, doesn’t it? I don’t recall ever hearing of a bragging match over weaknesses. On the other hand, I’ve heard of (or participated in) far too many of the other type. “I’m smarter, stronger, richer, faster, better looking, taller, thinner, holier, or ________ than you!” That’s the kind of boasting to which we are accustomed. It starts on the playground in elementary school and continues on through adulthood. We come to enjoy the one-upmanship; we enjoy feeling superior to others even if we probably wouldn’t admit it. Advertisers feed on the discontent that bragging matches cultivate. “I need those shoes to make me run faster.” “I need that makeup to make me better looking.” “I need that house or car to help me keep up with the neighbors.” Boasting matches over our strengths tend to feed our sense of inadequacy and fuel the fires of unholy competition.
How can we learn to boast in our weaknesses? Perhaps it happens best when we, like Paul, have all of our perceived areas of strength stripped away from us. Saul of Tarsus was proud of his heritage, his learning, and his position in Judaism. But after encountering the Risen Lord on the road to Damascus, the trajectory of Paul the apostle’s life drastically changed. What he once perceived as strengths had now become liabilities in many ways (Philippians 3:3-11). Paul learned that his weaknesses allowed the power of God to shine more brightly in his life and that helped him to find contentment with his inadequacies (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
So the next time someone points out one of my weaknesses, rather than arguing about it or belittling my critic, I hope that God gives me the grace to agree with him or her. If it helps to highlight the Lord’s strengths, then I pray that, like Paul, I can be content with my weaknesses rather than boasting of my strengths.
Paul’s statement to the believers in Corinth sounds so counter-intuitive, doesn’t it? I don’t recall ever hearing of a bragging match over weaknesses. On the other hand, I’ve heard of (or participated in) far too many of the other type. “I’m smarter, stronger, richer, faster, better looking, taller, thinner, holier, or ________ than you!” That’s the kind of boasting to which we are accustomed. It starts on the playground in elementary school and continues on through adulthood. We come to enjoy the one-upmanship; we enjoy feeling superior to others even if we probably wouldn’t admit it. Advertisers feed on the discontent that bragging matches cultivate. “I need those shoes to make me run faster.” “I need that makeup to make me better looking.” “I need that house or car to help me keep up with the neighbors.” Boasting matches over our strengths tend to feed our sense of inadequacy and fuel the fires of unholy competition.
How can we learn to boast in our weaknesses? Perhaps it happens best when we, like Paul, have all of our perceived areas of strength stripped away from us. Saul of Tarsus was proud of his heritage, his learning, and his position in Judaism. But after encountering the Risen Lord on the road to Damascus, the trajectory of Paul the apostle’s life drastically changed. What he once perceived as strengths had now become liabilities in many ways (Philippians 3:3-11). Paul learned that his weaknesses allowed the power of God to shine more brightly in his life and that helped him to find contentment with his inadequacies (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
So the next time someone points out one of my weaknesses, rather than arguing about it or belittling my critic, I hope that God gives me the grace to agree with him or her. If it helps to highlight the Lord’s strengths, then I pray that, like Paul, I can be content with my weaknesses rather than boasting of my strengths.
God loves you!
Mike
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