“...for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

[VictoryinJesus]

Psalm 54:1 Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Realize this has probably already been discussed many times. Been meditating on: What is His strength made perfect in weakness? The reason I ask is because recently I was faced with a terrifying reality of just how frail and vulnerable this body is, and I trembled. It was embarrassing because those around me could visibly see the fear and I felt like the biggest failure and a disgrace to God. here I was claiming Him, yet crumbling in front of others. I love my mother but she openly doesn’t want to discuss God. Ever. Yet, while not leaning on Him for support, she is an unshakable rock. Tough as a Momma grizzly bear. I watched her go through the same situation I was then faced with and our reactions were completely opposite. Which threw me...in her strength is not my strength, but her strength didn’t appear to fail.

So, as I’m laying there in the doctors office completely breaking down, I am praying to Him telling Him ...He has the wrong girl if He wants to show His strength because I’m surely going to be a weak frightened rabbit and fail. Not a pillar of strength. But then, I’m seeing maybe that verse different. What is His strength made perfect in weakness? Because even though the body is trembling and weak...an empathy and consideration for others going through the same thing comes in. Suddenly one is more aware of how others must feel and how there is a need always for them to have someone there to comfort them; to sit with them when they they are weak and scared and uncertain. Does His strength made perfect in weakness mean power to never tremble? Just thinking out loud and wondering how many times I have it backwards? Do you ever tremble at just how frail and vulnerable we all are? Also realize the topic of sin will come up regarding the verse. But considering the cross and what was displayed ...His strength is more than just a cover for sin?

 

[prism]

What is His strength made perfect in weakness?

I would add for clarity one word, 'our'. His strength made perfect in our weakness. Think Peter, he believed he was strong enough not to deny Jesus, yet ended up denying Him before a handmaiden. Human strength may stand up to natural trials (as your mom), but would she bow to a false god to save her neck? (Most likely).
This strength to stand for the Gospel's sake comes only through leaning on the power of Jesus while simultaneously forsaking our own strength.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

but would she bow to a false god to save her neck? (Most likely).

Thank you. Liked all your shared except the above about my mother. While most likely true, I would hope to be wrong.

 

[prism]

Thank you. Liked all your shared except the above about my mother. While most likely true, I would hope to be wrong.

I hope you realize I was speaking in general terms to show the weakness of our flesh using mom as an example. Since you said she doesn't want to discuss God, I take it she has not come to faith in Jesus. Without the strength of His Spirit, men will bow to false gods at gunpoint.

 

[Prayer Warrior]

Psalm 54:1 Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Realize this has probably already been discussed many times. Been meditating on: What is His strength made perfect in weakness? The reason I ask is because recently I was faced with a terrifying reality of just how frail and vulnerable this body is, and I trembled. It was embarrassing because those around me could visibly see the fear and I felt like the biggest failure and a disgrace to God. here I was claiming Him, yet crumbling in front of others. I love my mother but she openly doesn’t want to discuss God. Ever. Yet, while not leaning on Him for support, she is an unshakable rock. Tough as a Momma grizzly bear. I watched her go through the same situation I was then faced with and our reactions were completely opposite. Which threw me...in her strength is not my strength, but her strength didn’t appear to fail.

So, as I’m laying there in the doctors office completely breaking down, I am praying to Him telling Him ...He has the wrong girl if He wants to show His strength because I’m surely going to be a weak frightened rabbit and fail. Not a pillar of strength. But then, I’m seeing maybe that verse different. What is His strength made perfect in weakness? Because even though the body is trembling and weak...an empathy and consideration for others going through the same thing comes in. Suddenly one is more aware of how others must feel and how there is a need always for them to have someone there to comfort them; to sit with them when they they are weak and scared and uncertain. Does His strength made perfect in weakness mean power to never tremble? Just thinking out loud and wondering how many times I have it backwards? Do you ever tremble at just how frail and vulnerable we all are? Also realize the topic of sin will come up regarding the verse. But considering the cross and what was displayed ...His strength is more than just a cover for sin?

We're all different, and we all handle adversity differently. I've been in situations where I felt like I was crumbling to pieces, and yet, my daughter told me that if it hadn't been for my faith, she would have lost hers. I think we all have a "crumbling point," and sometimes, we crumble, but God always puts us back together....

 

[VictoryinJesus]

I hope you realize I was speaking in general terms to show the weakness of our flesh using mom as an example. Since you said she doesn't want to discuss God, I take it she has not come to faith in Jesus. Without the strength of His Spirit, men will bow to false gods at gunpoint.

I understand and took no offense. Her strength does throw me. Only a year from ninety and she still push mows her yard on occasion and clears away fallen limbs regularly. She has said she read all the bible story’s as a child and God doesn’t talk to people. End of story and you best not bring it up to her. She told me a couple times I needed to go see a shrink. all the God talk ruins people, she says. So yeah, I felt like a failure not being capable of the strength she displays and even questioned if God was there with me When I was afraid or if He ever was there. But I was seeing it wrong and He was there.

 

[Invisibilis]

God's will is His power and strength.

When we try (using self-will) to deal with issues and agendas in our life, the harder we try the greater the issue becomes. The reason being is that our self-will nature is dishonest, distorted, or in disharmony with Truth. When we try harder we only make it worse, and we become more dishonest. We come out of it all beaten up, tired, angry, and frustrated. In other words, all tensed up by our own distorted strength of self-will.

It is at this point where many will say "God, I give up". If we absolutely, and honestly, give up our self-will, then at that moment the self-will (ego) is at its weakest point. In our surrender and honesty we have given up all our issues and agendas to God, to Truth (let go, let God). Truth then merges with our consciousness of honesty, and 'touches' our heart and soul. God's will has merged with our innermost being of honesty. Our surrender and honesty becomes empowered by God's will. We are in fellowship with God at that point. Our surrender allows God's will to merge with what we say and do in life in a Truth-filled way _ just like Jesus did.
John 14:10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.

God/Truth is untouchable, and when we are in conscious fellowship with God/Truth we become untouchable.
Hebrews 13:5-6 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." 6. So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"

 

[VictoryinJesus]

We are in fellowship with God at that point.

Cause me to think of: Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

 

[Invisibilis]

Cause me to think of: Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

This chapter from either Paul or Timothy expresses their own 'trying' to hold onto (touch) the Truth, which is a show of their own strength of self-will, and are not yet in their weakness.
Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Here, they know that Truth gets a hold of them, but not yet understood that Truth cannot be held or touched by them. It is in their weakness of self-will (honesty and surrender to Christ Jesus) when Truth (Christ Jesus) takes hold of them.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

This chapter from either Paul or Timothy expresses their own 'trying' to hold onto (touch) the Truth, which is a show of their own strength of self-will, and are not yet in their weakness.
Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Here, they know that Truth gets a hold of them, but not yet understood that Truth cannot be held or touched by them. It is in their weakness of self-will (honesty and surrender to Christ Jesus) when Truth (Christ Jesus) takes hold of them.

Wadr, disagree. You said: “expresses their own 'trying' to hold onto (touch) the Truth, which is a show of their own strength of self-will, and are not yet in their weakness.” ... “self-will” is not reaching forward, following after, to obtain The High calling in Christ. Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. ...reaching back into what has passed would be “self-will” (imo).
The “not obtained”:1 Corinthians 2:2-5 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. [3] And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. [4] And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: [5] That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

You said: “but not yet understood that Truth cannot be held or touched by them.” The woman with an issue of blood reached out and took hold of the hem of The Word’s’ garment and her issue of blood was healed...strength went out from the Word. Prophetic of the woman of His body with an blood issue, who reaches out to touch the hem of the Word and is healed: Ephesians 5:30-32 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. [31] For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. [32] This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
^Luke 8:44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.

Philippians 3:15-16 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. [16] Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

They already understood it is about others being given Life and obtaining before anything is obtained. 2 Corinthians 4:12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

God's will is His power and strength.

Pondering this further last night and that is easily said ...but seems cold and distant like a dictionary. What is His Will? Psalm 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
what is His “likeness”?

 

[bbyrd009]

Psalm 54:1 Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Realize this has probably already been discussed many times. Been meditating on: What is His strength made perfect in weakness? The reason I ask is because recently I was faced with a terrifying reality of just how frail and vulnerable this body is, and I trembled. It was embarrassing because those around me could visibly see the fear and I felt like the biggest failure and a disgrace to God. here I was claiming Him, yet crumbling in front of others. I love my mother but she openly doesn’t want to discuss God. Ever. Yet, while not leaning on Him for support, she is an unshakable rock. Tough as a Momma grizzly bear. I watched her go through the same situation I was then faced with and our reactions were completely opposite. Which threw me...in her strength is not my strength, but her strength didn’t appear to fail.

So, as I’m laying there in the doctors office completely breaking down, I am praying to Him telling Him ...He has the wrong girl if He wants to show His strength because I’m surely going to be a weak frightened rabbit and fail. Not a pillar of strength. But then, I’m seeing maybe that verse different. What is His strength made perfect in weakness? Because even though the body is trembling and weak...an empathy and consideration for others going through the same thing comes in. Suddenly one is more aware of how others must feel and how there is a need always for them to have someone there to comfort them; to sit with them when they they are weak and scared and uncertain. Does His strength made perfect in weakness mean power to never tremble? Just thinking out loud and wondering how many times I have it backwards? Do you ever tremble at just how frail and vulnerable we all are? Also realize the topic of sin will come up regarding the verse. But considering the cross and what was displayed ...His strength is more than just a cover for sin?

sin is made irrelevant by forgiveness, imo.
(we heard You coming and we knew that we were naked, so we hid.
Who told you that you were naked?)

But stuffing is not forgiving, i guess, might even be a form of accusing? Contemplate "i'll just die so that you will be convicted" if you will; sounds quite Christlike, yes? But the conviction requires an informed audience, does it not? So dont die in vain imo, that is what i most seek to avoid tbh, and what is most likely too i guess

 

[bbyrd009]

"i'll make my weakness perfect in strength, by not exposing the truth and thus myself to some perceived shame that would make me look weak"

my life story bro, so feel me ok
everybody there already knows anyway k
i do not feel even a little sorry for you right now,
because after all there's nothing to feel sorry for you about, huh
its all in Job i guess
ok peace

 

[VictoryinJesus]

Considering further: Luke 8:44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.


verb
past tense: stanched; past participle: stanched

1. stop or restrict (a flow of blood) from a wound."colleagues may have saved her life by stanching the flow"
   • stop the flow of blood from (a wound).

Luke 8:44 Lexicon: came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped.


Strongs's #2476: histemi - Greek/Hebrew Definitions - Bible Tools
^ Any input?

“straightway” seems significant?
Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

 

[bbyrd009]

Considering further: Luke 8:44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.


verb
past tense: stanched; past participle: stanched

1. stop or restrict (a flow of blood) from a wound."colleagues may have saved her life by stanching the flow"
   • stop the flow of blood from (a wound).

Luke 8:44 Lexicon: came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped.


Strongs's #2476: histemi - Greek/Hebrew Definitions - Bible Tools
^ Any input?

“straightway” seems significant?

yes, so do it straightaway then imo; after all nothing is hidden which will not come to light anyway, right? Isnt that maybe a good redux of touch the hem?

i know...empathy actually sucks, ok, dont get me wrong, i sympathize too. I prolly couldnt do it myself. Do you have a therapist? Why not? They are trained to handle truths like that (thats why not lol), and again we are talking about a very common thing ok; even if you have been wildly successful, and no one knows, no one will be surprised i bet, and if they are, so what. Only terminally horrendous to one as long as they insist upon "my weakness will be made perfect in strength" imo. Have you forgotten that you wanted to die? Bc your body obviously hasnt k

how is it that i know for a fact that you are not talking to a therapist, or if you by some miracle are--you arent--you are not being honest with them? You need a good dyke therapist imo, find a butchie one lol, and forget the MDs, they arent helping you even a little bit anyway are they, bc they absolutely, without reservation, cannot

 

[VictoryinJesus]

"i'll make my weakness perfect in strength, by not exposing the truth and thus myself to some perceived shame that would make me look weak"

my life story bro, so feel me ok
everybody there already knows anyway k
i do not feel even a little sorry for you right now,
because after all there's nothing to feel sorry for you about, huh
its all in Job i guess
ok peace

wondered who this was direct at, considering the above maybe in this direction then?

 

[bbyrd009]

wondered who this was direct at, considering the above maybe in this direction then?

hmm. not sure i get you, sorry
"to whom it may concern" lets say?
but i could be as less cryptic as you like,
usually disturbingly so lol
("the men dont know what the little girls understand")
to remain cryptic :)

 

[VictoryinJesus]

yes, so do it straightaway then imo; after all nothing is hidden which will not come to light anyway, right? Isnt that maybe a good redux of touch the hem?

i know...empathy actually sucks, ok, dont get me wrong, i sympathize too. I prolly couldnt do it myself. Do you have a therapist? Why not? They are trained to handle truths like that (thats why not lol), and again we are talking about a very common thing ok; even if you have been wildly successful, and no one knows, no one will be surprised i bet, and if they are, so what. Only terminally horrendous to one as long as they insist upon "my weakness will be made perfect in strength" imo. Have you forgotten that you wanted to die? Bc your body obviously hasnt k

how is it that i know for a fact that you are not talking to a therapist, or if you by some miracle are--you arent--you are not being honest with them? You need a good dyke therapist imo, find a butchie one lol, and forget the MDs, they arent helping you even a little bit anyway are they, bc they absolutely, without reservation, cannot

assuming there is no therapist but maybe I’m deceived in I would disagree. Judging with the eyes, or the heart? realized last night I judge my mother with my eyes instead of my heart.

But stuffing is not forgiving, i guess, might even be a form of accusing? Contemplate "i'll just die so that you will be convicted" if you will; sounds quite Christlike, yes? But the conviction requires an informed audience, does it not? So dont die in vain imo, that is what i most seek to avoid tbh, and what is most likely too i guess

This was profound and wish I had time this morning to fully respond to all of it. “Contemplate "i'll just die so that you will be convicted"... “But the conviction requires an informed audience, does it not?” yes, as the woman they were going to cast stones at and her accusers went away instead convicted. “conviction requires an informed audience.” That is deep. “So dont die in vain imo, that is what i most seek to avoid tbh,” to whom much is given, much is required. Fruitful Rather than empty is the Spirit. Not sure how you see “for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” but interested in how you see it?

 

[bbyrd009]

it can even be a total stranger ok, if youre a wuss, prolly what i'd do
go tell a total stranger, someone old/eagerer for human contact is easier
theres a crotchety-looking old lady with short hair waiting for you in a park right now
you couldnt make her so much as raise an eyebrow if you walked up to her and stripped naked ok
she might even laugh at you, not kidding

 

[bbyrd009]

assuming there is no therapist

ha well you would be in the best position, no assuming necessary vij

but maybe I’m deceived

maybe

but I would disagree

narf

realized last night I judge my mother with my eyes instead of my heart

an excellent and intimately related thread, for another day i guess