Strong Enough to be Weak

Written by special guest writer Hannah Grace M. Staton

Are you strong enough to be weak? Or are you hiding behind your strength? 

In our society, we look up to those who boast of their strength and look down on those who admit to their weakness.

We admire and emulate people who are confident in their ability to propel themselves forward on the pathway to success.

People use their brains, looks, talents, charisma, and any other resources they have to work toward getting what they want.

The more self-sufficient you are, the better. Those who strive are those who succeed. The world drills this into us incessantly.

Many Christians have fallen into this trap.

We’ve adopted the world’s definition of success and pathway to obtaining it. Christians use their talents to get places just like everyone else. We work hard to market ourselves.

As someone preparing for a writing career, I’ve learned that becoming a successful author today requires more than honing your writing skills; it involves developing a brand and building a platform. Self-marketing is part of the job.

What happened to Jesus’ model of success? Have we forgotten our calling?

Jesus’ message is radically different from the world’s. His kingdom is upside down. In His eyes, the poor are rich, and the weak are strong. The humble are lifted up, and the proud are brought low.

Hannah’s prayer states this beautifully: “The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. . . . He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor” (1 Samuel 2:4-5, 8a ESV).

Blessed are you when you know your need and make it known, for you will be met with mercy. Your brokenness will be mended, your emptiness will be filled, and your hunger will be satisfied—in His time. 

It’s easy to hide behind a veneer of self-sufficiency. It’s hard to show your weakness. In a glorious paradox that only a child of God understands, showing weakness is a sign of strength.

It takes courage to assent to your inadequacy and reveal the places where your strength runs low or even fails. No one wants to be perceived as insufficient. That’s why it’s so hard to admit the parts of our lives where something is lacking. 

It’s a constant struggle, a battle we all must fight. A song by Bruce Carroll says,  “Fight to be weak / When pride gets too strong / Lord I want Your strength / More than I need my own / I must follow You / Instead of trying to lead / Help me fight to be weak.” Amen.

Friend, let me encourage you: don’t be afraid to show your weakness. Lay it at Christ’s feet, and let His strength be seen in you. The pressure’s off. You don’t have to perform. You don’t have to strive. All you need to do is rest in your identity as His beloved child and live out the love of the One who sings over you. 

When we are weak, Christ is strong. Our inadequacy provides room for His all-sufficiency. Our weakness lets Him show His strength.

When we turn our weakness over to His keeping, we shouldn’t be surprised when He takes it and transforms it into something greater than we could imagine. Jesus still uses broken loaves and fragmented fish to feed the hunger of thousands.

In His hands, your weakness is turned to strength. It all begins when you are strong enough to be weak.

To read more from Hannah Grace, check out her piece "If It Had Been Different" published by Calla Press: https://www.callapresspublishing.com/literaryjournal/if-it-had-been-different-by-hannah-grace-m-staton