How do you face your weaknesses? - Ep.212

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How do you face your Weaknesses?

 

Weaknesses. Everybody has them. Nobody likes them in themselves or in others. But there they are, just waiting to embarrass you and make you feel guilty all over again. Weaknesses come in all flavors, mental, physical, emotional, and moral. And all of us have varying degrees of all kinds of limitations and weaknesses.

 

For most of your weaknesses, you either learn to work around it, as in physical handicaps, or try to find some way to build up that area, apply to a school to boost your job potential. But for a Christian, moral and spiritual limitations are the most critical because they carry a greater weight of eternal consequences. Not that the other limitations don’t have eternal ramifications, but the spiritual limitations are more directly related to our relationship with God and His Church.

 

What are some examples of spiritual weaknesses? First, let me clarify that much of our spiritual weakness comes from unaddressed sin in our lives. If you call unforgiveness a weakness and leave it at that you may try to shrug it off like the bad knee that keeps you from playing basketball. No need to address it and work to change it. But as a follower of Jesus, everything that hinders us from pursuing Him with our whole heart is a problem. So unforgiveness is suddenly a big deal. It isn’t just a little thing, but a massive stumbling block that threatens our unity with the church and our fellowship with God. It is sin and must be addressed as sin.

 

Now I am sure many of you will agree with that and already make a regular practice of confessing and repenting of known sin in your life. The problem comes in with areas we continually struggle with, a besetting sin some might call it. Most of us have a spiritual weakness that regularly shows up in our life and leads to sin of some kind. How do you address that weakness? Do you address it or just give up, admit defeat in that area and move on?

 

My challenge for you today. Don’t accept defeat, fight to the bitter end to be the person God is changing you into. He has already promised to finish the work He started in you. And if you have accepted Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross on you behalf through Faith, God says that He declares you Righteous! And that is amazing! You can’t work for that righteousness (Rom.4:5). It is God’s work on your behalf. And that work is why the battle is worth it. You will not lose this fight. You may lose a battle today, but God is using this fight in your life to build your reliance and trust in Him. He uses your weakness to make you more like Jesus. So don’t give up, ever.

 

So how do you approach the spiritual weakness in your life that so often leads to sin?

 

One, Embrace the TRUTH that the ultimate victory is yours, no matter how this battle turns out. God has never lost one yet, you won’t be the first.

Phil. 1:3-6 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ

 

Two, Prioritize Prayer. Don’t underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit and His ability to work when you have no strength left. Repeat with Paul, when I am weak, then You are strong.

2 Cor. 12:9-10 9 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. 10 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

 

The next few points are all part of using all of the tools available that God has given you. Don’t try to power your way through weakness, let God work in and through you.

 

Three, Use Your Mind. It may sound trite to you but spending time reading, meditating on and memorizing scripture is part of the process.

2 Tim.3:16-17 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Use all the tools available, God’s Word is an important one!

 

Four, Stay Connected to God’s Family. The church is an important part of the life of a follower of Jesus. When you are weak, the gifts that God has given the church are there to lift you up.

1 Thess. 5: 8-11 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

 

Some believer you know has the gift of encouragement. Someone has the gift of wisdom and can give you practical pointers to help you see your way forward clearly. You need support. God has give the Holy Spirit and His Church to support you through this life. Don’t leave it out!

 

Five, Physically Do Something Different. If you have been busy, get some extra rest, go to bed early. Stress makes you more susceptible to temptation. If you are a couch potato, get some exercise. Move you body in a good way. Get out and join people volunteering and serving in the community, do Something different.

 

Six, Pursue Godliness and Righteousness.

Flee from temptation and pursue righteousness. Be active and intentional in your pursuit and never give up.

1 Tim. 6:11-12 11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

 

Seven, Look For Someone Around You Who Needs Help. As a member of the body of Christ you have gifts that the church needs. Don’t let your temporary struggle keep you from looking to serve others.

Phil. 2:4 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

 

Yes take care of yourself. But don’t let the enemy remove you from the war. Your gifts are needed. Others are struggling like you are and we can help each other persevere.

 

Our struggles are real. Our weakness is real. Our God is Great. If you know someone who needs this message, share it with them and Keep Running!