In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Paul writes, “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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with my weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (ESV).
This verse can be comforting, but I believe it is also meant to challenge us as well. Paul’s weaknesses are what reveals God’s power in his life.
It is not my strengths, abilities, talents, knowledge, or accomplishments that show God’s power in my life. It is my weaknesses that reveal his power.
When we try to be self-sufficient, we are inhibiting God’s grace to be sufficient for us.
Paul says he will boast in his weaknesses, as in he will “show off” his weaknesses. We usually don’t want to brag about or show off our weaknesses. This is where the challenge is for us believers, to put aside our pride and self-sufficiency in order to reveal God’s strength and give glory to Him, instead of ourselves.